MASTERMINDS RESOURCES UPDATED!

Volume One, Issue #2

Credits Editor's Forward

Supervising Editor
Fred Graves "Sam…Sam…Sam…Samurai..HHOOO!"

Managing Editor Welcome back to our second issue. We are quite happy to
Bob Bretz receive such praise and thankfulness by the fans who have
read our premiere issue. It is always nice to know that your
Art Direction, Layout efforts are appreciated. In response to the fans request,
and Design the Mutant Merchandise portion will be separated into a
Nuno Teixeira second publication to help reduce the number of pages.
After all, this effort is only worth doing if it serves the
Contributors fans needs and helps to make their Mutants and
Dr Archeville Masterminds game even more of a success.
Mark "Neo" Howe
Nuno Teixeira That said, we hope to receive even more support in
the future. Kind words are nice (and highly appreciated),
Cover Art but we hope you'll consider helping us by submitting articles
Nuno Teixeira to help keep this publication going. We'll probably always
have some articles to share, but the more people who submit
material; the wider the variety of topics will be served. OK,
sales pitch over.

We're happy to have two of our authors from issue 1

return with more useful articles (Dr Archeville and Mark
"Neo" Howe); and our layout guru Nuno has given us an inter-
esting article on the Thundercats. If you watched cartoons
in the late 1980's, early 1990's, then you know who these
cats are (pardon the pun). The wealth of material all of
these authors have provided will hopefully be of service to
your game as it was a pleasure to put together on our end.
Some Fonts by:
So, grab the Wiley Kittens and jump into the Thunder
Tank and let's have some fun!

The Samurais.
Visit E-CORE for Superlink
support at news at:
www.e-core-news.org
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

AEGIS Expanded
by Mark "neo" Howe

Note: The following is fan-created mate-

rial and not an official Green Ronin/Mutants
and Masterminds production.

The government established the Advanced

Elite Government Intervention Service
(A.E.G.I.S) in 1962. The agency coordinates
law enforcement efforts to deal with super
powered criminals and threats to national
security from organisations like SHADOW.

The agency has been active in Freedom

City from its very beginning, since a great
many super-powered threats show up there.
Due to its government ties, the Moore Act
restricting super humans from Freedom
City did not apply to anyone working with or
for AEGIS while that law was in effect.

In recent years AEGIS has begun taking a

more frontline role in the fight against
super powered threats, utilising its own
teams of agents to track and apprehend
super powered criminals, analyse potential
threats in order to tie them to specific
individuals allowing them to identify and
meet a threat in full possession of what
they may face and how best to handle it.
AEGIS has even begun recruiting (albeit
somewhat heavy handedly) their own teams
of Parahumans, typically those with no ties
or criminals they can redeem by offering
one last chance. Of course the existence

3
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
of such AEGIS backed squads is kept very
hush-hush. It is however viewed that the
best policy of dealing with threats is inter-
nally and that to rely on external groups,
especially parahuman groups like Freedom
Force and the ATOM family is just encour-
aging them into more important roles within
society. Humankind for its own good must
learn to meet such threats on its own two
feet. And because of this belief AEGIS
keeps a staff of crack scientists continually
trying to develop new means of meeting,
controlling, and if necessary removing any
super threats mankind may face.
Organization
AEGIS has its main offices in Freedom
City and is fast opening new offices around
the world known as Cells. However it is the
Freedom City office that is the central
command for the entire organisation and it
is this office that is known as Control.
From Control the Director of AEGIS
operations and overall head of AEGIS coor-
dinates missions and activities for the
whole organisation. The current Direction
is C. Horatio "Harry" Powers and African
American male. Director Powers spend the
majority of his time in his office at Control.
Beneath the Director is an Assistant
Director; currently an ambitious lady holds
the post by the name of Melanie Prescott.
The role of the Assistant Director post is
largely to be stationed in capital where he
or she advises government leaders on mat-
ters of concern, remaining in near-perpetual
contact between there and Control.
Each AEGIS Cell (Office) is overseen by a
senior agent, typically retired to an admin-
istrative role known as "Operations." Each
Operations job is to handle the day-to-day
decisions of each cell and oversee all there
cells personnel, provide mission briefings,
and make the necessary judgement calls
that arise during the day-to-day running of
such groups.
Directly under Operations each cell is
assigned an agent from Department 13, this
individual is known as "Personnel" and it is
their job to keep a watch over AEGIS per-
sonnel using psychological profiling, as well
as handling internal security and interroga-
tions. With the exception of a direct order
from the Director of AEGIS only
"Personnel" has the necessary influence to
remove an "Operations" from their role in
instances when their activities become
unpredictable or hazardous.
Beneath "personnel" are a whole host of
analytical, scientific, tactical and technical
operatives with varying security clearance,
and it is an operatives security clearance
that determines not only their pay and priv-
ileges but their influence, ability to head
missions and priority given to their
requests for additional resources. Security
clearance goes from White (the lowest)
through Green, Yellow, Blue, Red, and finally
Black (the highest) and each colour having
three levels with the exception of black
that has only two. Director powers; for
example, are Black level 02-security clear-
ance, meaning he is aware of and has access
too all goings on and resources of AEGIS.
The Assistant director is Black level 01
clearance and all Operations and Personnel
positions hold Blue 01 or higher.
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 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

parahuman or organisations. This is done

Directives through the use of undercover operatives,
contacts, and high tech surveillance.
AEGIS is built around five primary direc-
tives and it these directives that govern all
facets of not only the day-to-day activities
of AEGIS but its long-term goals too. The
five directives are as follows:

1. Acquisition: AEGIS is dedicated to

the acquisition of resources, be it person-
nel, skills, technology or support necessary
to facing, preventing and where necessary
removing any parahuman or organisational
threat to the city, nation or mundane human
populace.

2. Extraction: AEGIS is dedicated to

the removal, apprehension and where neces-
sary disposal of any and all parahuman or
organisational threats to the nation and
general populace.

3. Guidance: AEGIS provides guidance

to city leaders, law enforcement agencies,
corporations and nations leaders, providing
them with advice and alternatives to meet
any parahuman or organisational threats
they may be experiencing.
4. Investigation: AEGIS considers it
paramount to gather and collate all informa-
tion relating to parahuman or organisational
threats. Specifically information relating
to individuals, structure, resources, activi-
ties, locations, and methods of confronting
and opposing said parahumans.
Departments
AEGIS as an organisation is made up of
operatives from one of the five depart-
ments that make up the organisation. All
operatives begin their careers in one
department and will forever after be asso-
ciated and answerable to them, even though
they will on a day-to-day basis almost cer-
tainly be mixing with operatives of almost
all departments constantly.
The five departments are as follows

5. Supervision: Finally AEGIS does not Control: Control are the leaders and are
just gather information and advise others taught leadership skills be it departmental
on courses of action but they all maintain a or small squad. Control is the department
constant vigil against known threats be they that anyone from any department can be

5
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
assigned too after displaying or being wit-
nessed exhibiting leadership potential
traits. These traits are then through
training and development honed in order to
allow the operative to take a command role
within their final department to which they
are assigned.
Analysis: Analysis is the department that
is made up of strategists, psychologists,
and computer technicians whose job it is to
collate and analyse all information gather
via operatives either in the field or through
contacts. It is Analysis that develops the
stratagems that will; ahead of time, and
while in the field, provide Tactical the best
chance of success. Recruits who display
problem solving, improvisational and quick
thinking traits inevitably end up assigned to
Analysis.
Tactical: Tactical consist by far of the
most numerous amount of operatives within
AEGIS. Within tactical judgement, coordi-
nation and aggression are the traits of the
days and those recruits exhibiting these
qualities are inevitably assigned to tactical
and end up as field agents of one sort or
another.
Development: Development is just that,
the department handles all medical, scien-
tific, and technical research and develop-
ment. Development is responsible for the
production, development, and maintenance
of all AEGIS equipment from weapons to
vehicles. It also handles the research and
developments of technologies and method-
ology for combating and countering parahu-
man abilities. Finally Development is also
responsible for the caring of any casualties.
Recruits who display a flair for research
and science or who possess medical skills
beyond first aid are frequently assigned to
Development.
Department 13: Department 13 is a spe-
cial case department and is technically
Aegis's special operations department.
Within this department the Parahuman
squads fall, as do the Psi-Op agents and
other specialised project personnel like the
MAX troopers. Obviously entry require-
ments for Department 13 vary with suit-
ability for the projects available.
Holdings
AEGIS has holdings throughout the west-
ern world with at least one Cell being situ-
ated within every civilised country in the
west. Its main headquarters "Control" is of
course situated in Freedom City and it is
there that Director Powers holds office.
Throughout the rest of the world AEGIS a
number of smaller holdings, safe houses,
business and interests but thus far no
organised cells as they do here.
Mook Statistics: (* produced using 1:4
skill point ratio)
Tactical Field Agent (W-02 clearance):
These men and women represent the stan-
dard AEGIS field operatives commonly
associated with the organisation. They are
the typical AEGIS members who are sent
on missions for the organisation.
PL 3; Init +0; Defence 13 (+3 base); Spd
30 ft.; Atk +3 ranged (+8 S/L, blaster); SV
Dmg +2, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +0; Str 12,
Dex 11, Con 11, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 10.
6
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Skills: Gather Information +2, Intimidate
+2, Profession (Agent) +2, Search +2.
Feats: Toughness.
Equipment: SuperNova Blaster Rifle (+8
S/L, extras: Autofire; flaws: Uses), AEGIS
uniform (Armour +3), Tac-Com Headset
(radio hearing, radio broadcast), Tracer
Implant (see new gear).
Tactical Control Mission Leader (B-02
clearance):
These men and women represent the typi-
cal AEGIS field commanders and mission
leaders commonly associated with the
organisations tactical squads. The Mission
Leaders are trained in command and dealing
with small unit tactics and coordination.
PL 8; Init +1; Defence 16 (+5 base); Spd
30 ft.; Atk +6 ranged (+5 S/L, blaster pis-
tol); SV Dmg +2, Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +1;
Str 14, Dex 13, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha
15.
Skills: Diplomacy +4, Gather Information
+4, Intimidate +4, Profession (Agent) +8,
Search +3.
Feats: Assessment, Connected,
Indomitable Will, Leadership, Toughness.
Equipment: Sunbeam Blaster Pistol (+5
S/L), AEGIS uniform (Armour +3), Tac-Com
Headset (radio hearing, radio broadcast),
Tracer Implant (see new gear).
Analysis Computer Tech (G-03 clear-
ance):
These men and women represent the stan-
7
dard AEGIS analysis department computer
technicians commonly associated with the
organisation whose job it is to analyse mis-
sion data and monitor operations, providing
any remote technical assistance they can
where needed from disabling security to
opening electronic doors and so forth.
Such Computer Techs do not however go in
the field very often instead relying on tac-
tical operatives to provide them remote
access to systems allowing them to remote-
ly work their magic from Cell headquarters.
PL 4; Init +0; Defence 13 (+3 base); Spd
30 ft.; Atk +2 ranged (+5 S/L, blaster pis-
tol); SV Dmg +0, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +0;
Str 10, Dex 11, Con 10, Int 13, Wis 11, Cha
10.
Skills: Computer +4, Demolitions +2,
Disable Device +2, Drive OR Pilot (pick one)
+2, Profession (Agent) +5, Repair +2.
Feats: Talented (pick two skills from
those above).
Equipment: Sunbeam Blaster Pistol (+5
S/L), AEGIS uniform (Armour +3), Tac-Com
Headset (radio hearing, radio broadcast),
Tracer Implant (see new gear), Dynamics-
3000 Portable Computer (see new gear).
Analysis Psychologist (B-03 clearance):
These men and women represent the stan-
dard AEGIS Analysis departmental psychol-
ogists commonly associated with the organi-
sation. Typically one of these will be
assigned to a field team to monitor the
team members, but also in order to interro-
gate any prisoners that may be taken.
PL 5; Init +0; Defence 13 (+3 base); Spd
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
30 ft.; Atk +2 ranged (+5 S/L, blaster pis-
tol); SV Dmg +0, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +4;
Str 10, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha
15.
Skills: Bluff +4, Diplomacy +4, Intimidate
+5, Profession (Agent) +3, Science
(Psychology) +8, Sense Motive +8.
Feats: Evaluate, Iron Will.
Equipment: Sunbeam Blaster Pistol (+5
S/L), AEGIS uniform (Armour +3), Tac-Com
Headset (radio hearing, radio broadcast),
Tracer Implant (see new gear). AEGIS
Truth Detector (Super skill - Sense Motive
+5).
Development Field Medic (W-03 clear-
ance):
These men and women represent the stan-
dard AEGIS field medics commonly associ-
ated with the organisation and assigned to a
tactical team to provide field care. Field
Medics are trained in handling all battle-
field triage being able to patch up any
wounded be they agents or civilians in order
to keep them alive until evacuated or more
capable help arrives.
PL 3; Init +0; Defence 14(15) (+3 base,
+1/2 Dodge); Spd 30 ft.; Atk +1 ranged (+5
S/L, blaster pistol); SV Dmg +0, Fort +0,
Ref +0, Will +1; Str 10, Dex 11, Con 10, Int
11, Wis 13, Cha 10.
Skills: Diplomacy +2, Medical +4,
Profession (Agent) +2, Science (Biology) +3.
Feats: Dodge, Skill Focus (Medical).
Equipment: Sunbeam Blaster Pistol (+5
S/L), AEGIS uniform (Armour +3), Tac-Com
Headset (radio hearing, radio broadcast),
Tracer Implant (see new gear). Emergency
Medical Kit (Healing +5, degrades with each
use).
Development Research Specialist (Y-03
clearance):
These men and women represent the stan-
dard AEGIS Development departmental
research specialists who have a specific
field of scientific specialty in which they
work. It is their job to analyse, design and
develop technologies within their chosen
field.
PL 5; Init +0; Defence 13 (+3 base); Spd
30 ft.; Atk +1 ranged (+5 S/L, blaster pis-
tol); SV Dmg +0, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +2;
Str 10, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 18, Wis 14, Cha
10.
Skills: Computers +4, Knowledge (Pick
one) +5, Profession (Agent) +3, Science
(Primary, *see below) +8, Science
(Secondary, *see below) +5.
Feats: Skill Focus (In Primary science,
see above), Talented (In knowledge and
secondary science, see above).
Equipment: Sunbeam Blaster Pistol (+5
S/L), AEGIS uniform (Armour +3), Tac-Com
Headset (radio hearing, radio broadcast),
Tracer Implant (see new gear), Dynamco-
3000 Portable Computer (see new gear).
* Sciences must be chosen from this list:
Biochemistry, Biology, Botany, Chemistry,
Ecology, Exobiology, Genetics or Zoology.
Development Design Specialist (Y-03
8
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
clearance):
These men and women represent the stan-
dard AEGIS Development departmental
Design specialists who have a specific field
of technical specialty that they work with-
in. It is their job to analyse, repair, design
and develop technologies within their cho-
sen field.
PL 5; Init +0; Defence 13 (+3 base); Spd
30 ft.; Atk +1 ranged (+5 S/L, blaster pis-
tol); SV Dmg +0, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +1;
Str 10, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha
10.
Skills: Craft (Primary, pick one) +5,
Computers +4, Profession (Agent) +3, Repair
+5, Science (Primary, *see below) +6,
Science (Secondary, *see below) +4.
Feats: Skill Focus (In Primary science,
see above), Skill focus (In Primary craft,
see above).
Equipment: Sunbeam Blaster Pistol (+5
S/L), AEGIS uniform (Armour +3), Tac-Com
Headset (radio hearing, radio broadcast),
Tracer Implant (see new gear), Dynamco-
3000 Portable Computer (see new gear).
* Sciences must be chosen from this list:
Mathematics, Metallurgy, Nuclear Physics,
Physics, Quantum Physics, and Robotics.
Department 13 MAX Trooper (B-01
clearance):
These men and women represent the stan-
dard AEGIS MAX Troopers trained and
assigned to Department 13. They are
trained in utilising the AEGIS developed
Max armour that boosts its wearer's natu-
9
ral strength and potential and is crucial in
facing some of the more dangerous threats.
PL 5 (8 in armour); Init +1; Defence 15 (+4
base); Spd 30 ft.; Atk +5 ranged (+5 S/L,
blaster pistol or by armour); SV Dmg +4,
Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +1; Str 14, Dex 13, Con
14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 10.
Skills: Intimidate +3, Listen +3,
Profession (Agent) +5, Repair +3, Search
+3, Spot +3.
Feats: Point blank shot, precise shot,
Toughness.
Equipment: Sunbeam Blaster Pistol (+5
S/L), AEGIS uniform (Armour +3), Tac-Com
Headset (radio hearing, radio broadcast),
Tracer Implant (see new gear), MAX
Armour (battle suit see Freedom City, p.
42).
Department 13 Psi Op Agent (R-01
clearance):
These men and women represent the stan-
dard AEGIS Department 13 Psi-Operatives
who are taken and trained to develop their
psychic potential and taught ways and
means of utilising their psychic powers
where necessary. Mankind may not have
the genetic potential to face threats
directly of a parahuman nature, or even the
technological advancement to defeat them
but the untapped powers of the human mind
provide almost limitless potential to meet
such threats on an even ground.
PL 8; Init +0; Defence 14 (+4 base); Spd
30 ft.; Atk +3 ranged (+5 S/L, blaster pis-
tol); SV Dmg +0, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +5;
Str 10, Dex 11, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
14.
Skills: Bluff +3, Diplomacy +4, Gather
Information +3, Intimidate +3, Profession
(Agent) +5, Sense Motive +4.
Feats: Assessment, Psychic Awareness,
Iron Will, Indomitable Will, Trance.
Powers: All Psi-Ops are trained in up to
25 points worth of the following psychic
powers:
Astral Projection, ESP, Illusion, Mental
Protection, Mind Control, Postcognition,
Precognition, Telekinesis, or Telepathy
(Source: Psychic/Training).
Weakness: Implanted (All Psi-Ops are
implanted with a neutralising implant at the
base of their skull, which can via remote
signal deactivate their powers)
Equipment: Sunbeam Blaster Pistol (+5
S/L), AEGIS uniform (Armour +3), Tac-Com
Headset (radio hearing, radio broadcast),
Tracer Implant (see new gear), Neutralising
Implant (see new gear).
Control "Operations" (R-03 clearance):
This represents a typical Control
Department trained "Operations" character
in command of an AEGIS Cell. The
Operations of a Cell is responsible for all
the day-to-day administrations, mission
briefs, threat assessments and more and
has the final say in all matters referring to
Control for further orders or advice if
matters that affect areas beyond their
control or of greater threat arise. All
Operations undergo intensive training to
build up their mental defences to help
ensure the security of a cell cannot be com-
promised via the remote manipulation of its
leader.
PL 10; Init +1; Defence 19 (+8 base); Spd
30 ft.; Atk +6 ranged (+5 S/L, blaster); SV
Dmg +3, Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +3; Str 12,
Dex 13, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 16, Cha 15.
Skills: Bluff +10, Computers +10,
Diplomacy +10, Disable Device +10, Drive
+10, Escape Artist +10, Gather Information
+10, Innuendo +10, Intimidate +10,
Knowledge - Culture +10, Knowledge -
Geography +10, Knowledge -Strategy +10,
Languages (choose 8), Profession (Agent)
+10, Sense Motive +10.
Feats: Assessment, Connected,
Headquarters (AEGIS Cell), Indomitable
Will, Leadership, Photographic memory,
Point blank shot, Talented (choose any 2
skills from above), Diplomatic Immunity
(crooks), Coverup (power corrupted).
Lightning Reflexes, Toughness.
Powers: Mental Protection +10 (Source:
Training)
Equipment: Sunbeam Blaster Pistol (+5
S/L), AEGIS uniform (Armour +3), Tac-Com
Headset (radio hearing, radio broadcast),
Tracer Implant (see new gear).
Department 13 "Personnel" (R-03 clear-
ance):
This represents a typical Department 13
trained "Personnel" character in sub-com-
mand of an AEGIS Cell. Personnel are
responsible for keeping a watch over
AEGIS personnel using psychological profil-
ing, as well as handling internal security and
10
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
interrogations being masters of interroga-
tion procedures both subtle and extreme.
With the exception of a direct order from
the Director of AEGIS only someone in the
position of "Personnel" has the necessary
influence to remove an "Operations" from
their role in instances when their activities
become unpredictable or hazardous, as a
result of this the code to activate a per-
sonnel's neutralising implant is kept at con-
trol and not by the cell's operations to
which they belong.
PL 10; Init +2; Defence 18 (+6 base); Spd
30 ft.; Atk +5 ranged (+5 S/L, blaster); SV
Dmg +0, Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +5; Str 10,
Dex 14, Con 11, Int 16, Wis 16, Cha 18.
Skills: Bluff +10, Computers +10,
Concentration +10, Diplomacy +10, Drive
+10, Gather Information +10, Innuendo +10,
Intimidate +10, Knowledge - Torture
Techniques +10, Language (choose 8),
Medicine +10, Profession (Agent) +10, Read
Lips +10, Science - Psychology +10, Sense
Motive +10, Sleight of Hand +10, Taunt +10.
Feats: Assessment, connected, Great
Fortitude, Iron Will, Leadership, Inspire,
Photographic Memory, Talented (choose 2
skills from above), Body Language,
Diplomatic Immunity, Evaluate, Stoic.
Powers: Illusion +3 (extras: Area,
Selective; flaws: Creatures only; source:
Psychic/Training), Mental Protection +4
(source: Psychic/Training), Telepathy +4
(extras: Group Link, Memory Alteration,
Mind Control; source: Psychic/Training).
Weakness: Implanted (10pt, has a
Neutralising implant).
11
Equipment: Sunbeam Blaster Pistol (+5
S/L), AEGIS uniform (Armour +3), Tac-Com
Headset (radio hearing, radio broadcast),
Tracer Implant (see new gear), Neutralising
Implant (see new gear).
New AEGIS Technology:
AEGIS Sunbeam Mk1 Blaster Pistol
These privately manufactured blaster
weapons fire a coherent charge of energy
at their targets, which can be either lethal
or non-lethal in nature as the wielder
desires and at the throw of a switch.
[Source: Super Science; Power Stunt:
Dual Damage; Effects: Energy blast (fire)
+5; Flaws: Device; Cost: 6pp].
AEGIS Supernova Mk1 Blaster Rifle
These rifles are an extended version of
the blaster pistol but with an enlarged
power cell and capacity to make multiple
rapid shots at foes. However it should be
noted that the increased power of the
shots from these rifles quickly drains the
weapons power cell, which after being
drained requires 24 hours to recharge it.
[Source: Super Science; Effects: Energy
blast (fire) +8; Power Stunt: Dual Damage;
Extras: Autofire; Flaws: Device, Uses; Cost:
9pp].
AEGIS C3-XT1 Sniper Rifle
The Colt 3 Extreme Trajectory Mk1
Sniper Rifle was designed and manufac-
tured specifically for AEGIS's department
13. Its budget and design was all hush-hush
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
as the agency did not want it to be known
that occasionally foes or even rogue agents
must occasionally be removed permanently,
either because their threat has become to
much or because the information they know
is potentially too damage. Whatever the
reason however, the C3 is more than capa-
ble of taking down even the most capable
mundane or parahuman from some distance
away.
[Source: Super Science; Effects: Weapon
(ranged) +10; Power Stunts: Far Shot,
Precise Shot, Improved Critical; Flaws:
Device, Full Effect; Cost: 13pp].
AEGIS Field Uniform
These durable, lightweight uni-
forms come in a variety of
sizes but are all made of the
same durable fibre with a
light Kevlar weave over the
wearers vital spots thereby
providing the wearer effec-
tive if somewhat modest pro-
tection from harm.
[Source: Super Science; Effects:
Armour +3; Flaws: Device; Cost:
3pp].
AEGIS Earpiece Tac-Com
Headset
The Tac-Com Headset is made
up of a small durable earpiece
and swing down microphone that allows its
wearer remote radio communication with
Control.
[Source: Super Science; Power Stunts:
Radio Hearing, Radio Broadcast; Flaws:
Device; Cost: 2pp].
AEGIS Sneak Suit
The AEGIS Sneak Suit is perhaps the
most effective electronic sneak suit in
existence to date. Capable of using a smart
polymer fibre and supported by numerous
sensors, and miniature computing devices.
The suit allows its wearer to instantly
match the colour and pattern of its sur-
roundings blending them perfectly like a
chameleon. The suit includes a hood
and hi tech visor that protects the
wearers senses, provides radio com-
munication, night vision capability
and enhanced hearing also.
[Source: Super Science;
Effects: Blending +10; Extras:
Sensory Protection, Darkvision,
Ultra Hearing, Radio
Broadcast, Radio Hearing;
Flaws: Device; Cost: 14pp].
Dynamco-3000 Portable
Computer
The latest Dynamco produced
portable computer within a small,
self contained and durable flip
down casing. The Dynamco 3000
provides excellent remote
access computational capa-
bilities supported by a
variety of cutting edge
programs to help the user in their tasks.
AEGIS bought a mass quantity of these
computers, as they are ideal for work in the
field.
[Source: Super Science; Effects: Datalink
+10; Power Stunt: Skill focus (represent
12
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
programs, additional programs can be taken
at a cost of 1pp each) Flaws: Device; Cost:
11pp+].
AEGIS Neutralising Implant
This is an extremely small implant that
holds a miniature gyro capable of producing
an electric charge. The implant is implant-
ed into a host at the base of their skull
where it is attached to the spinal cord and
brain stem. These implants are routinely
implanted into all Psi-Op and AEGIS
Parahuman personnel as a means to neu-
tralise their powers in order to make them
far easier to subdue. Should an implanted
operative become a risk, control merely
sends a signal on a specific frequency. The
result of which is that the implant gives of
a charge that shocks the implanted hosts
brain in such a way as to prevent them from
sending the mental signals necessary to use
their powers so long as the implant is
active.
[Source: Super Science; Effects:
Neutralise +10; Extras: Nullification (x2,
sustained), Triggered (effect only activates
by remote signal) Flaws: Device, Range (x2,
Personal); Cost: 30pp].
AEGIS Tracer Implant
This miniature implant is a miniature-sig-
nalling device and is routinely given in
secret to all AEGIS personnel during their
initial medicals. The implant is frequently
given in a drink and once ingested lodges
itself onto the operative's major intestine
and from there begins to broadcast a con-
stant signal to control. The signal itself is
subtle and very hard to detect as is the
implant itself however once in the operative
13
AEGIS can find them anywhere and at any
time they please.
[Source: Super Science; Effects: Radio
Broadcast; Extras: Subtle; Flaws: Device,
Uncontrolled (transmits constantly); Cost:
1pp].
Emergency Medical Kit
A typical emergency medical kit as com-
monly seen carried by paramedics and oth-
ers medical professionals. It contains
enough medical equipment to help deal with
all but the most serious or surgical of prob-
lems. It should be noted however that a
medical kit contains only finite resources
and after each use it becomes less effec-
tive as its supplies are used up until after
five uses the kit is used up and needs
replacing.
[Source: Super Science; Effects: Healing
+5; Flaws: Device, Degrades; Cost: 5pp].
AEGIS Handheld Truth Detector
This small handheld sensor device can pick
up a targets vocal stress levels, perspira-
tion rate and heart beat in order to deter-
mine whether or not those factors are
abnormal enough to imply that what they
state is true or untrue.
[Source: Super Science; Effects: Super
Skill - Sense motive +5; Flaws: Device; Cost:
5pp].
MAX Armour Mk.2
Faced with the ever-increasing parahuman
threats, AEGIS was forced to reassess its
approach to the utilisation of power-
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
armoured troopers in the field. The Mark 1
armour based off earlier military designs
worked well for a time but was fast becom-
ing outdated as technologies and foes con-
tinued to advance with every passing month.
Indeed in the last quarter alone
Department 13 of AEGIS reported that
seven suits of mark 1 were either
destroyed completely or damaged to such
an extent that repairs over complete
replacement simply were not viable.
As a result of this growing concern the
Design specialists of Department 13 were
tasked with the job of designing new and
improved MAX armour, which would utilise
cutting edge technologies, including those
taken and studied from apprehended
parahuman threats.
Max 2 Power Armour was inspired by this
image by Storn Cook:
http://www.stornc.rpggallery.com/images/
artfiles/AnvilLoRes.jpg
[Source: Super Science; Effects: Armour
+10; Extras: Energy Blast, Immunities,
Super Strength, Force Field (w/ Deflection
and Affect Others extras); Power Stunts:
Radio Broadcast, Radio Hearing, Snare
"Capture Web", Darkvision, and See
Invisible; Cost: 96pp].
AEGIS AH-76 Damocles Attack Copter
These sleek helicopters are cutting edge
technology at its best. Looking much like a
streamlined Apache helicopter and being
built for silent running in all environments
including urban, this vehicle sports side
mounted 50. Calibre machines guns and side
mounted Hellfire missiles. The Damocles is
fast, silent and accurate, and more impor-
tantly fairly easy to make with its compo-
nents being intentionally modular for easy
repair.
[Type: Air; Size: Gargantuan; Movement:
8; Hardness: 10; Armour Bonus: 10;
Features: 50 calibre Cannon +10 [Extra:
Autofire], Hellfire Missiles +10 [Extras:
Area], Obscure - Radar +5 [Extra: Extra
sense hearing], Radio Broadcast, Radio
Hearing, Darkvision; Cost: 73].
AEGIS Unmarked Armoured Luxury
Sedan Car
These unmarked armoured luxury sedans
appear as any other luxury sedan car of
their type their armouring is not obvious
and the windows are tinted. These cars
however are able to stop most personal
firearms even the average energy weapon
from endangering their passengers. Each
sedan comes with onboard cell phone and
entertainment centre, central locking and
computerised navigation. These cars have
no logo or marking and come in neutral
colours (black, grey, brown etc) so as not to
stand out.
[Type: Land; Size: Huge; Movement: 7;
Hardness: 8; Armour Bonus: 8; Features:
Radio Broadcast, Radio Hearing, Skill Focus
- Driving & Knowledge - Geography; Cost:
20].
AEGIS Orbital Spy Satellite
Appearing largely as a communications
satellite the AEGIS orbital spy satellite is
used to locate and track assets in the field
and possible targets. The spy satellites are
fitted with power detection, and communi-
14
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

cation arrays as well as a high-powered

orbital laser, which is powered by the
onboard miniature nuclear reactor. This
reactor is normally powered down and low
emission with the satellite powered pre-
dominantly by its main battery powered
from the solar panels. The satellites senso-
ry capacity is enough to zoom in from a
500-mile high orbit to earth with perfect
clarity.

[Type: Space; Size: Gargantuan;

Movement: 0 (station keeping only);
Hardness: 5; Armour Bonus: 5; Features:
Radio Broadcast, Radio Hearing, Detect -
Paranormals, Datalink +5, Nuclear Laser +10
[Extras: Area; Flaws: Limited - area shots
only, Full Effect], Telescopic Sense - Sight
+18 [Extras: Extra sense Detect
Paranormals]; Cost: 46].

AEGIS, Atom Family, Freedom City, and

SHADOW are © 2003 Green Ronin
Publishing.

15
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

catapulting their corpses and excrement

over castle walls. The last known incident
of using plague corpses for biological war-
fare occurred in 1710, when Russian forces
attacked the Swedes by flinging plague-
infected corpses over the city walls of
Reval. Several colonists settling in North
and South America are now (in)famous for
waging biological warfare by distributing
items infected with smallpox to indigenous
by Jon "Dr Archeville" Howell populations. Francisco Pizarro distributed
clothing infected with smallpox to South
American peoples in the 16th century,
Hernán Cortés did similar acts to the Aztec
"I looked, and there before me was a pale population around the same time, and
horse! Its rider was named Death, and Jeffrey Amherst distributed small-
Hades was following close behind him. They pox-infected blan-
were given power over a fourth of the kets to Native
earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, Americans sympa-
and by the wild beasts of the earth." -- thetic to France
Revelations 6:8 during the
French and
Biological warfare -- using diseases and Indian War
toxins as weapons of war -- is by no
means a new phenomenon.
During the 6th Century
B.C.E., the Assyrians poi-
soned enemy wells with a
fungus that would make
the enemy delusional. In 184
B.C.E., Carthaginian leader
Hannibal had clay pots filled with
poisonous snakes, and
instructed his soldiers to
throw the pots onto the
decks of Peragamene ships.
Mongol armies were known for cat-
apulting diseased corpses into
besieged cities; during the
Middle Ages, victims of the
Black Death were used for
biological attacks, often by

16
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
(1754-1763). During the Sino-Japanese
War (1937-1945) and World War II, Unit
731 of the Imperial Japanese Army con-
ducted human experimentation on thou-
sands of people, mostly Chinese, in order to
perfect various bioweapons. In military
campaigns, the Japanese army used such
weapons on Chinese soldiers and civilians,
though this employment was largely viewed
as ineffective due to inefficient delivery
systems. In response to suspected biologi-
cal weapons development in Germany and
Japan, the United States, United Kingdom,
and Canada initiated a bioweapon develop-
ment program in 1941 that resulted in the
weaponization of anthrax, brucellosis, and
botulinum toxin. Research carried out in
the United Kingdom during World War II
left Gruinard Island (a small Scottish isle)
contaminated with anthrax for 48 years
(from 1942 to 1990).
Use of such weapons was banned in inter-
national law by the Geneva Protocol of
1925, since a successful attack could con-
ceivably result in thousands, possibly even
millions, of deaths and could cause severe
disruptions to societies and economies. The
creation and stockpiling of almost all biolog-
ical weapons was outlawed by the 1972
Biological Weapons Convention ("except in
amounts necessary for prophylactic, protec-
tive and peaceful research"), and has been
signed by over 150 nations. Unlike most
arms control agreements, the BWC also
applies to private parties.
The consensus among military analysts is
that, except in the context of bioterrorism,
biological warfare is militarily of little use.
A biological warfare attack would take days
to implement and therefore could not imme-
diately stop an advancing army.
17
Additionally, as a strategic weapon, biologi-
cal warfare is militarily problematic
because it is difficult to prevent the attack
from spreading to either allies or back onto
the attacker, unless it is used to poison
entire enemy civilian towns.
Of course, military logic should rarely get
in the way of a good dramatic story, espe-
cially one featuring superhuman characters
who defy the laws of physics on an hourly
basis. Additionally, large-scale military
logistics often have little to no bearing on
the solo or (comparatively) small team con-
flicts seen in most comics, and in most
comic-themed roleplaying games. Comic
books have featured plagues before, the
most prominent one being the Legacy Virus
that ran through various Marvel comics
titles from 1993 to 2001, an airborne viroid
that killed hundreds of mutants and later it
mutated to affect baseline humans. Comics
have also featured characters -- most
always supervillains -- who use poisons as a
"calling card" of sorts, such as the "Dust of
Death" used by Marvel's Red Skull or the
Joker Venom used by DC's Clown Prince of
Crime. A notable exception to the "villains-
only" rule is the Sandman (Wesley Dodds)
of DC's Justice Society of America, who
routinely used a tranquilizing gas gun to
subdue assorted ne'er-do-wells. Biological
and chemical weapons have also been used
by terrorist organizations in comics, such
as Marvel's HYDRA and DC's Kobra Cult.
Given the highly dangerous and unstable
nature of biological and chemical weapons, a
small group of people -- or even one lone
individual -- can cause massive chaos in a
densely populated areas (such as the March
20th, 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo
subway by the controversial AUM Shinriky?
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
religious cult, which killed twelve and
injured six thousand more). For some vil-
lains, this may actually be preferable to
simply killing large groups of people out-
right. Also, new diseases and poisons need
not come from some sinister laboratory --
if scientists in the real world are discover-
ing new bacteria and viruses even now,
imagine what new plagues could filter down
on some meteorite or clinging to an alien.
An alien NPC (or, worse, one of the player's
characters!) may unknowingly carry some
microbe on them that is perfectly harmless
to his people, but causes all manner of
problems for Terran lifeforms.
A disease is any abnormal condition of the
body or mind that causes discomfort, dys-
function, or distress to the person affect-
ed or those in contact with the person.
Sometimes the term is used broadly to
include injuries, disabilities, syndromes,
symptoms, deviant behaviours, and atypical
variations of structure and function, while
in other contexts these may be considered
distinguishable categories. Pathology is the
study of diseases, the subject of systemat-
ic classification of diseases is referred to
as nosology, and the broader body of knowl-
edge about diseases and their treatments
is medicine. Medical usage sometimes dis-
tinguishes a disease, which has a known spe-
cific cause or causes (its etiology), from a
syndrome, which is a collection of signs or
symptoms that occur together without an
identifiable cause. However, many condi-
tions have been identified, yet continue to
be referred to as "syndromes" (ex.: Down's
Syndrome), and numerous conditions of
unknown etiology are referred to as "dis-
eases" in many contexts.
For the purposes of this article, a disease
is any discomfort, dysfunction, or distress
to a person caused by infection by a bacte-
rial or viral agent. Bacteria are prokaryotic
(nucleus-lacking) microscopic organisms,
usually but not always unicellular, that are
ubiquitous in soil, water, and as symbiotes
of other organisms. The first bacteria
were observed by Antony van Leeuwenhoek
in 1683 using a single-lens microscope of his
own design. The name bacterium was intro-
duced much later, by German scientist
Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in 1828,
derived from the Greek word for "small
stick" (owing to the bacterium's vaguely
stick-like structure). Louis Pasteur (1822-
1895) and Robert Koch (1843-1910)
described the role of bacteria as pathogens
(conveyors and causes of disease). A virus
is a small particle which can infect other
biological organisms. Viruses are capable of
reproduction only by invading and taking
over other cells, as they lack the cellular
machinery for self reproduction. The term
virus usually refers specifically to those
particles which infect eukaryotes (multi-
celled organisms and many single-celled
organisms), whereas the term bacterio-
phage (or phage) is used to describe those
infecting prokaryotes (such as bacteria).
The word comes from the Latin virus,
referring to poison and other noxious
things. Antibiotics are used to fight bacte-
rial infections; the first effective antibiot-
ic substance is penicillin, discovered by
French physician Ernest Duchesne in 1896;
Alexander Fleming later accidentally discov-
ered penicillin's antibacterial properties in
1928. (In 1888, German scientist E. de
18
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Freudenreich isolated pyocyanase, which
retarded the growth or killed several types
of bacteria, but was itself highly unstable
and toxic to most all life and so was not an
effective antibiotic.) The first viral vac-
cine was developed by Edward Jenner in
1796, by using cowpox fluid as an inocula-
tion against smallpox -- the subject's own
immune system was able to fight off the
comparatively weaker cowpox, and the anti-
bodies created in the host's body proved
effective against smallpox, which is molecu-
larly similar to cowpox. (The word vaccina-
tion comes from the Latin word for "cow,"
vaca.)
All of the Disease write-ups below are
based on the Drain power, and all have the
Restricted - Disease Flaw. The effects of
a Power with this Flaw are actually from a
form of disease the character spreads.
Characters with Immunity (Disease) are
completely unaffected by it, and characters
with the Regenerate power add their rank
to the Fortitude saving throw against the
effect (the effects of a Power with this
Flaw are always resisted by Fortitude).
Characters who have the Healing power can
add their power rank as a bonus to the vic-
tim's saving throw against the Power (both
the initial save and latter saves against any
Secondary effects), and the Medicine skill
can substitute for a saving throw against
the effect (initial or Secondary) if the skill
check result is higher. The Healing and
Regeneration powers can be used to more
quickly restore ability score points lost to a
disease/Drain. Make a power check against
a DC equal to that of the disease. If the
check is successful, a number of drained
ability score points are restored equal to
the rank of the Healing or Regeneration
19
power. Characters may attempt to restore
drained ability score points in this fashion
once per day per.
Example: Joe Mook has lost 8 points of
Constitution after suffering for several
days from Anthrax (a DC 16 disease). A
kindly mutant with the power of Healing +5
offers to treat Joe. The healer makes a
Healing Power check (1d20 +5) vs. a DC of
16. If the healer succeeds, Joe has 5
points of his lost Constitution restored.
All of the following Drains/diseases also
have the Delay extra, reflecting the incu-
bation period of the disease, and the
Secondary Effect extra, though in this
case the secondary effect occurs one day
later, rather than 10 rounds/1 minute later.
Since most diseases, and their deleterious
effects on the human body, can last for
days or even weeks on end, the Duration x3
(Continuous) extra has been added. This,
combined with the Secondary Effect extra,
means that for each day that passes, a
character infected with a disease must
make a Fortitude saving throw or continue
suffering the effects of the disease (i.e.
having more of their ability score drained).
If a character makes two successful
Fortitude saves in a row (on two consecu-
tive days), their immune system has fought
off the disease and they stop taking dam-
age. Because of the Slow Recovery extra,
lost ability score points are regained at the
rate of one/day, though some of the nasti-
er diseases take longer to fully recover
from, represented by a longer recovery
time.
Many also have the Virulent power stunt.
This Power Stunt adds +2 to the save DC of
the power, thus making it harder to resist,
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
though the effect remains the same. (This
Power Stunt is based on the original version
of the Penetrating Attack super-feat pre-
sented in the M&M core rulebook.)
Anthrax
Anthrax is a bacterial disease that most
commonly occurs in wild and domestic her-
bivores, though it can also occur in humans
when they are exposed to infected animals,
tissue from infected animals, or high con-
centrations of anthrax spores. Anthrax
means "coal" in Greek, used because victims
develop black skin lesions where the spores
contact their skin. Other symptoms include
gastrointestinal difficulty, vomiting of
blood, and severe diarrhea, coupled with
cold or flu-like symptoms and severe respi-
ratory problems. Anthrax is generally not
contagious from person to person. It was
the first bacterium ever to be shown to
cause disease, by Robert Koch in 1877.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras:
Delay (1 to 2 [1d20/10] days), Duration x3
(Continuous), Secondary Effect, Slow
Recovery x5 (1/month); Power Stunt:
Virulent x2 (DC 16); Flaw: Limited-
Constitution only, Restricted-Disease; Cost:
10pp; Total: 24pp.
Bubonic Plague
Bubonic Plague is a terrible and nearly
always fatal bacterial disease spread by
fleas. The most prominent symptom is a
swelling in the lymph nodes, especially
around the groin and armpits, sometimes
into the size of oranges. These rounded
swellings -- buboes -- often oozed pus or
blood. Bubonic plague can progress to sep-
ticemic plague, leading to additional bleed-
ing of the organs and under the skin lead to
dark blotches covering the victim. Victims
also experience chills, delirium, fever, and
headaches. Bubonic plague is believed to be
the main culprit of the Black Death that
spread through Europe
in the mid-14th century,
a devastating epidemic
that killed approximately
one-third of the popula-
tion of Europe. Plague is
almost 100% fatal is left
untreated, but fortu-
nately modern antibi-
otics can reduce the
mortality rate to around
15%.
Effect: Drain/Ability
Score 6; Extras: All
Mental Attributes
(Wisdom), Contagious,
20
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Delay (2-6 [2d20/6] days), Duration x3
(Continuous), Secondary Effect, Slow
Recovery x3 (1/day); Flaw: Limited-
Constitution Only, Restricted-Disease; Cost:
10pp; Total: 60pp.
Hantavirus
Hantavirus is a virus spread by rodents
(carried in their saliva, urine and feces)
that causes the disease known as Korean
hemorrhagic fever or hemorrhagic fever
with renal syndrome (HFRS). Hantavirus
targets the kidneys, lungs, pulmonary sys-
tem and heart; symptoms include hemor-
rhagic (bleeding) fever, renal failure,
hypotension (abnormally low blood pres-
sure), chills, and shock. The Hantavirus
name is derived from the Hantaan River of
Korea, where the virus was first isolated.
Hantaviruses are a relatively newly discov-
ered class of virus, first recognized by
Western medicine during the Korean War
(1950-1953).
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras: All
Physical Attributes (Strength &
Constitution), Contagious, Delay (1 day),
Duration x3 (Continuous), Secondary
Effect, Slow Recovery x5 (1/month); Power
Stunt: Virulent (DC 14); Flaw: Restricted-
Disease; Cost: 13pp; Total: 28pp.
Influenza
Influenza (or, more commonly, the flu or
the grippe) is a highly contagious viral
infection that attacks the upper respirato-
ry system. It is primarily transmitted from
21
person to person via saliva droplets
expelled while coughing. Symptoms include
chills and fever, headache, muscular aches,
weakness and confusion, dry or sore throat,
cough, and runny nose. Major genetic
changes in the virus have caused three
influenza pandemics in the 20th century,
killing many millions of people. Most people
who get influenza will recover in one to two
weeks, but others will develop life-threat-
ening complications, such as pneumonia or
bronchitis. An average of about 36,000
people per year in the United States die
from influenza, and 114,000 per year are
admitted to a hospital as a result of
influenza. People age 65 years and older,
people of any age with chronic medical con-
ditions, and very young children are more
likely to get complications from influenza.
The flu can make chronic health problems
worse. For example, people with asthma may
experience asthma attacks while they have
the flu, and people with chronic congestive
heart failure may have worsening of this
condition that is triggered by the flu. It is
possible to get vaccinated against influenza,
however, due to the high mutability of the
virus a particular flu vaccine formulation
usually only works for about a year.
Studies have shown that Sambucol, a trade-
marked extract of elderberry, may aid in
curing influenza once it has been contract-
ed, though it has no notable preventative
effect. The name comes from the old med-
ical belief in unfavorable astrological influ-
ences as the cause of the disease.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 1; Extras: All
Physical Attributes (Strength &
Constitution), Contagious, Delay (1-2
[1d20/10] days), Duration x3 (Continuous),
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

(1/day); Power Stunt: Virulent (DC 13); human powers, in addition to developing (at
Flaw: Limited-Wisdom Only, Restricted- a far slower rate) the skin lesions, fever,
Disease; Cost: 10pp; Total: 12pp. cough, and overall weakness characteristic
of Legacy-1. This is why St. John "Pyro"
Allerdyce lived for years after infection.
Legacy-3 was a complete fluke, accidentally
The Legacy Virus created in the body of the Mutant woman
known as Infectia. Infectia's powers
The Legacy Virus (of Marvel comics) was allowed her to scan and visualize the genet-
actually a viroid, something even more prim- ic structure of a living being, and then alter
itive than a virus, and was released by it according to her own whims; she was
Stryfe, a terrorist from approximately essentially a walking genetics laboratory.
2,000 years in the future. It originally Infectia had herself been infected with
existed in two forms, Legacy-1 and Legacy- the Legacy Virus, which her own powers
2, but later mutated into a third form, tried to stave off. In doing so, they caused
Legacy-3; all were airborne agents. Legacy- a replication error in the Legacy-2 viroid
1 and Legacy-2 searched for the "x-factor" that was killing her. The pre-coded condi-
-- the sequence of mutant genes that gave tioning which Legacy-1 and -2 both had -- to
a Mutant their powers -- in a target. If it search for an x-gene and, if none was
did not find an activated "x-factor" in the found, not to infect -- was striped from the
target, the viroid would die off, leaving the viroid. When Henry "Beast" McCoy opened
person completely unaffected. If, however, the containment chamber Infectia had been
it did find the "x-factor," it would begin in (an act of compassion -- she had wanted
inserting introns (junk DNA sequences) into one final look at the night sky), he inadver-
the transcription codings of the victim's m- tently released this new "free agent"
RNA. The purpose was to so thoroughly
mess up replication and transcriptions that
end result would be that the victim would
die when their body could no longer create
healthy cells. Legacy-1 attacked general
transcription and replication of all cells, a
messy and non-selective process that
resulted in something akin to a fast-repli-
cating cancer. This is the version that
Illyana "Magik" Rasputin, sister of Piotr
"Colossus" Rasputin, was infected with.
Legacy-2, however, was much closer to
Stryfe's original template and more in tune
to his desire to stir a species war between
humans and Mutants. Its attacks were
selective, working only on the x-factor
genes. The net result was that a victim
would eventually lose control of their super-

22
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
strain, which was capable of infecting any
living being that fit within the parameters
of its general original template (i.e.
hominids only, not canines or felines or
etc.). Moira MacTaggert, long-time ally of
the Mutant X-Men and one of Marvel
Earth's top geneticists, seems to have been
the first non-Mutant human to be infected
with Legacy-3. She passed on the data
she'd gathered to McCoy (before being
killed by an explosion at her research sta-
tion, caused by the shapeshifting terrorist
Mystique), and McCoy was able to devise a
cure, though one that had a price. In order
for the cure to be activated, it had to be
injected into a healthy Mutant, which would
then cause their powers to overload and kill
them, but in so doing release the "activat-
ed" cure into the atmosphere. Colossus, not
wanting to see anyone else suffer as his
sister had, sacrificed himself for the cure,
and within 24 hours all victims of the
Legacy Virus (all strains) were miraculously
and fully cured.
Effect: Quasi-Plot Device. Characters
with the Legacy Virus have the
Uncontrolled Flaw on all their Powers and
the Disabled/Frail Weakness, a 10-point
Weakness that imposes a -5 penalty on
checks for physical actions that require
endurance over time (running, swimming,
holding your breath, etc.), to avoid becom-
ing fatigued, and to stave off disease (some
GM's may interpret this to simply mean all
Constitution checks and all Damage and
Fortitude saves). [Note: Most of the above
"flavor text" is taken from Quarantine: The
Legacy Virus Page:
http://panther.bsc.edu/~bassaf/quarantine/
The Disabled/Frail weakness first
appeared in Green Ronin's Crooks!.]
23
Leprosy
Leprosy, now known as Hansen's disease
(in honor of the discoverer of the bacillus
that causes it), can take up to nearly two
years to incubate. When it finally mani-
fests, the victim's features coarsen, their
voice becomes hoarse, and pale spots
appear on the skin. These spots gradually
turn into red raised nodules which are
insensitive to cold, touch or pain. The vic-
tim eventually loses feeling in his extremi-
ties, and muscles weaken until total paraly-
sis sets in. Blindness sometimes occurs.
Contrary to popular belief, Hansen's dis-
ease does not cause rotting of the flesh;
however, due to nerve damage, extremities
may become numb which may lead to minor
infected wounds being unnoticed until dam-
age is permanent. It can take upwards of
20 years for a person to die from leprosy.
It is caused by a bacillus which multiplies
very slowly and mainly affects the skin,
nerves, and mucous membranes. It is relat-
ed to the bacillus that causes tuberculosis.
The mode of transmission of Hansen's dis-
ease remains uncertain. Most investigators
think it is usually spread from person to
person in respiratory droplets. What is
known is that the transmission rate is very
low, and it appears that a majority of the
population is naturally immune. Leprosy is
curable with modern antibiotics. Only two
creatures are known to be susceptible to
leprosy: humans and armadillos.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 5; Extras: All
Physical Attributes (Strength, Dexterity
and Constitution), Contagious, Delay (1-100
[5d20] weeks), Duration x3 (Continuous),
Secondary Effect (1-100 weeks later, not 1
day later), Slow Recovery x7 (1/year);
Power Stunt: Virulent (DC 17); Flaw:
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Limited-Charisma Only, Restricted-Disease;
Cost: 15pp; Total: 77pp.
Malaria
Malaria (formerly called ague or marsh
fever) is a disease spread by mosquitoes
which causes around 2 million deaths annu-
ally. It manifests as arthralgia (joint pain),
a high fever which comes in waves every
three or four days, shivering, convulsions,
severe headaches, and profuse perspiration;
complications include coma and death.
Malaria is caused by the protozoan parasite
Plasmodium. Infected female Anopheles
mosquitoes carry Plasmodium sporozoites in
their salivary glands. When they bite a
person, the protozoa enter the person's
body via the mosquito's saliva and migrate
to the liver, where they multiply within
hepatic liver cells. They then enter red
blood cells, where they multiply further,
periodically breaking out of the red blood
cells. The classical description of waves of
fever coming every three or four days aris-
es from simultaneous waves of the protozoa
breaking out of red blood cells during the
same day. The parasite is relatively pro-
tected from attack by the body's immune
system because it stays inside liver and
blood cells, but circulating infected blood
cells are killed in the spleen. To avoid this
fate, the parasite produces certain surface
proteins which infected blood cells express
on their cell surface, causing the blood cells
to stick to the walls of blood vessels.
These surface proteins are highly variable
and cannot serve as a reliable target for
the immune system. The stickiness of the
red blood cells is the main factor giving rise
to hemorrhagic complications of malaria.
Some of the protozoa turn into male and
female gametocytes. If a mosquito bites
the infected person and picks up gameto-
cytes with the blood, fertilization occurs in
the mosquito's gut, and new sporozoites
develop and travel to the mosquito's sali-
vary gland, completing the cycle. Pregnant
women are especially attractive to the mos-
quitoes, and malaria in pregnant women is an
important cause of still births and infant
mortality. If diagnosed early, malaria can
be treated, but prevention is always much
better, and substances that inhibit the par-
asite are widely used by visitors to the
tropics. Since the 17th century, quinine (an
extract of the bark of the South American
Cinchona tree, and a flavor component of
tonic water) has been the prophylactic of
choice for malaria, though the development
of quinacrine, chloroquine, and primaquine in
the 20th century has reduced the reliance
on quinine. These anti-malarial medications
can be taken preventively, which is recom-
mended for travelers to affected regions.
Carriers of the sickle cell anemia gene are
protected against malaria because of their
particular hemoglobin mutation. The proto-
zoan cause of malaria was discovered by a
French army doctor, Charles Louis Alphonse
Laveran, for which he was awarded the
Nobel Prize for Physiology/Medicine in
1907.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras: All
Mental Attributes (Wisdom), Contagious,
Delay (1-4 [1d20/5] day), Duration x3
(Continuous), Secondary Effect, Slow
Recovery x3 (1/day); Power Stunt: Virulent
(DC 14); Flaw: Limited-Strength Only,
Restricted-Disease; Cost: 10pp; Total: 22pp.
24
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Necrotizing
fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis (neck-row-tize-ing
fash-e-i-tis) is a serious but rare infection
of the deeper layers of skin and subcuta-
neous tissues (fascia). While many types of
bacteria can cause necrotizing fasciitis,
most cases result from streptococcal gan-
grene. The infection occasionally starts
with a sore throat, but more often begins
locally, at a site of trauma. The affected
skin is very painful, red, hot and swollen.
Skin color may progress to a dark purple
and bloody blisters may form with subse-
quent necrosis (death) of subcutaneous tis-
sues; patients also typically have a fever
and appear very ill. More severe cases
progress within hours, and the death rate is
high. Early medical treatment (often
including intravenous antibiotics) is critical.
If necrotizing fasciitis is suspected, surgi-
cal exploration is always necessary, often
resulting in aggressive debridement
(removal of infected tissue); limb amputa-
tion may be necessary. This disease is one
of the fastest spreading infections known,
and tissue may be consumed at a rate of
three centimeters per hour. For this rea-
son, it is popularly called "flesh-eating dis-
ease" and, although rare, became well-
known to the public in the 1990s. Even
under the best care available today, necro-
tizing fasciitis has a mortality rate of
around 20%; mortality is nearly 100% if not
properly treated, and so correct diagnosis
and early treatment of this disease is of
paramount importance.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras:
Contagious, Delay (1 to 6 [1d20/3] days),
Duration x3 (Continuous), Secondary
Effect, Slow Recovery x5 (1/month); Power
25
Stunt: Virulent (DC 14); Flaw: Limited-
Constitution only, Restricted-Disease; Cost:
11pp; Total: 24pp.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a term for most any infection
involving the alveoli of the lungs; "pneumo-
nia" is the Greek word for "lungs." It
occurs in patients of all age groups, but
young children and the elderly are especial-
ly at risk, as are people with compromised
immune systems. Common symptoms include
painful cough with green or yellow mucus,
fever with shaking chills, sharp or stabbing
chest pains which are worsened with deep
breaths or coughs, rapid and shallow
breathing, and fever of 103°F (39.5°C) and
higher. Rarer symptoms include bloody
mucus, migraine headache, excessive sweat-
ing and clammy skin, loss of appetite,
excessive fatigue, and cyanosis (bluish col-
oration of the skin due to the presence of
deoxygenated blood in vessels near the skin
surface). Pneumonia can progress to sepsis
("blood poisoning" and deteriorated renal
functioning) and acute respiratory distress
syndrome if untreated; these are the main
causes of death in patients with untreated
pneumonia.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras: All
Physical Attributes (Strength &
Constitution), Contagious, Delay (1 to 4
[1d20/5] days), Duration x3 (Continuous),
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Restricted-Disease; Cost:
11pp; Total: 22pp.
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is an infection with
Salmonella bacteria, the most common con-
taminant of improperly prepared/stored
poultry and eggs (though it can be found in
any food contaminated with animal feces).
Most persons infected with Salmonella
develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal
cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The
illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most
persons recover without treatment.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras:
Delay (1 day), Duration x3 (Continuous),
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Partial Extra: Drain/Ability 1
(Extras: Triggered-on Drain/Dexterity;
Flaws: Limited-Strength only, Restricted-
Only When Triggered; Cost: 1pp); Power
Stunt: Virulent (DC 14); Flaw: Limited-
Dexterity only, Restricted-Disease; Cost:
8pp; Total: 19pp.
[Victims must make a DC 14 Fortitude
save or be affected by a Drain/Dexterity
2, and a DC 13 Fortitude save or be affect-
ed by a Drain/Strength 1; the following day
they must make similar saves against similar
effects.]
Smallpox
Smallpox is a highly contagious viral dis-
ease unique to humans. Many survivors are
left blind in one or both eyes from corneal
ulceration, and persistent skin scarring
(pockmarks) is nearly universal. Smallpox
was responsible for an estimated 300-500
million deaths in the 20th century. After
successful vaccination campaigns, the World
Health Organization declared the eradica-
tion of smallpox in 1979, though cultures of
the virus are kept by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the
United States and at the Institute of Virus
Preparation in Siberia, Russia. Smallpox
vaccination was discontinued in most coun-
tries in the 1970s, as the risks of vaccina-
tion include serious side effects, including
death. Smallpox is one of the oldest-known
diseases -- the first suspected smallpox
epidemic was during the Peloponnesian War
(431-404 B.C.E.) between Athens and
Sparta, and it is described in the Ayurveda,
a comprehensive system of medicine based
on a holistic approach rooted in Vedic cul-
ture dating back 2,000 years. Initial symp-
toms are essentially similar to other viral
diseases such as influenza and the common
cold -- fever, muscle pain and stomach
aches. The digestive tract is commonly
involved, leading to vomiting. Smallpox virus
preferentially attacks skin cells, causing
the characteristic pus-filled "pimples" (pus-
tules) associated with the disease, erupting
first in the mouth, then the arms and the
hands, and later the rest of the body. If
the patient successfully fights off the
infection, the pustules deflate and dry up,
then flake off. If the patient cannot fight
off the infection, bleeding will occur under
the skin, making the skin look charred and
black (this is known as black pox). Soon
afterwards, bleeding begins in the organs,
and death may occur from bleeding or from
loss of fluid and entry of other infectious
organisms, since the skin and intestine is no
longer an effective barrier.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras: All
Physical Attributes (Strength &
Constitution), Contagious, Delay (2 to 8
26
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
[2d20/5] days), Duration x3 (Continuous),
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Power Stunt: Virulent x2 (DC 16);
Flaw: Restricted-Disease; Cost: 11pp; Total:
26pp.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious and often fatal dis-
ease caused by a toxin secreted by anaero-
bic bacteria. These bacteria can be found
in soil and in the intestines and feces or
numerous farm animals (horses, sheep, cat-
tle, rats, dogs, cats, guinea pigs and chick-
ens); spores of the bacterium have also
been found in heroin. Tetanus was first
documented by Hippocrates, and records
dating back to the 5th century B.C.E. pro-
vide numerous clinical observations of the
disease. However, the etiology (cause) of
the disease was not discovered until 1884
by Carle and Rattone. Tetanus is contract-
ed through open wounds, commonly caused
by sharp objects in the ground such as
rusty nails. However, it is not the rust that
is the problem, but rather that the nail has
been exposed to the environment for a long
time (which caused the rust) and accumu-
lating some of the tetanus bacteria from
the soil. The first sign of tetanus is tris-
mus ("lockjaw," a condition in which the
mouth is locked shut by contractions of the
jaw muscles), followed by stiffness of the
neck and back, risus sardonicus (a painfully
grinning face caused by facial muscle
spasm), difficulty swallowing, and muscle
rigidity in the abdomen. The stiffness and
spasming of muscles eventually expands
throughout the body. Typical signs of
tetanus include an increase in body temper-
ature by 3-7 F° (2-4 C°), diaphoresis
27
(excessive sweating), an elevated blood
pressure, and an episodic rapid heart rate.
Complications of the disease include spasms
of the larynx (vocal cords), accessory mus-
cles (chest muscles used to aid in breath-
ing), and the diaphragm (the primary
breathing muscle); fractures of long bones
secondary to violent muscle spasms; and
hyperactivity of the autonomic nervous sys-
tem. Spasms and muscle contraction last
for 3-4 weeks, and complete recovery may
take months. There are on average 150
cases annually in the USA, and about 30%
of tetanus victims (mostly elderly patients)
die; in developing countries, the mortality
rate may be as high as 60%.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras:
Delay (3 to 8 [2d20/5] days), Duration x3
(Continuous), Secondary Effect, Slow
Recovery x4 (1/week); Power Stunt:
Virulent x2 (DC 16); Flaw: Limited-
Dexterity only, Restricted-Disease; Cost:
9pp; Total: 22pp.
Typhoid Fever
Typhoid Fever is a bacterial disease
spread through food or water contaminated
with feces. It is marked by high fever,
lack of appetite, diarrhea, stomach pains,
headache, cough, exhaustion, delusion, con-
fusion, and a rash of flat, rose-colored
spots. Antibiotics are commonly used in
treating Typhoid Fever. A person may
become an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid
fever, suffering no symptoms, but capable
of infecting others. In 1907, Mary Mallon
(who came to be known as "Typhoid Mary")
became the first American carrier to be
identified and traced. According to the
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Centers for Disease Control approximately
5% of people who contract typhoid continue
to carry the disease after they recover.
When untreated, typhoid fever persists for
three weeks to a month. Death occurs in
between 10% and 30% of untreated cases.
Vaccines for typhoid fever are available and
are advised for persons traveling in regions
where the disease is common.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 6; Extras:
Contagious, Delay (1-4 [1d20/5] days),
Duration x3 (Continuous), Secondary
Effect, Slow Recovery x3 (1/day); Partial
Extra: Drain/Ability 4 (Extras: All Mental
Attributes (Wisdom & Charisma),
Triggered-on Drain/Constitution; Power
Stunt: Virulent; Flaws: Restricted-Only
When Triggered; Cost: 3pp); Flaw: Limited-
Constitution Only, Restricted-Disease; Cost:
12/9pp; Total: 68pp.
[Victims must make a DC 16 Fortitude
save or be affected by a Drain/Constitution
6, and a DC 16 Fortitude save or be affect-
ed by a Drain/Wisdom 4 and
Drain/Charisma 4; the following day they
must make similar saves against similar
effects.
West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus is a newly emergent virus,
found in both tropical and temperate
regions. It mainly infects birds, but is also
the cause of a number of conditions in
humans, horses, and some other mammals.
It is transmitted by bites of infected mos-
quitoes. In most people (80%), infection
causes no symptoms. In others, the virus
causes mild flu-like symptoms (fever, nau-
sea, muscle stiffness, etc.) known as West
Nile Fever. The virus is able to pass the
blood-brain barrier, and the most serious
effects (in 0.7% of the infected) are
encephalitis (inflammation
of the brain) and meningi-
tis (inflammation of
the lining of the brain
and spinal cord), both of
which can be fatal. In
rare cases (first reported October 2002),
patients develop sudden-onset paralysis.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras: All
Physical Attributes (Dexterity &
Constitution), Delay (1 to 4 [1d20/5] days),
Duration x3 (Continuous), Secondary
Effect, Slow Recovery x5 (1/month); Flaw:
Restricted-Disease; Cost: 12pp; Total: 24pp.
A toxin is a substance that causes
injury to the health of a living thing on con-
tact or absorption, typically by interacting
with biological macromolecules such as
enzymes and receptors. Ingestible toxins
are referred to as poisons, especially when
intentionally administered by a human, while
animal toxins that are delivered subcuta-
neously (such as by sting or bite) are called
venom. In normal usage, a poisonous organ-
ism is one that is harmful to consume, but a
venomous organism uses poison to defend
itself while still alive. A single organism can
be both venomous and poisonous.
Toxins can have a variety of effects.
Hemotoxins are toxins that destroy red
28
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
blood cells (hemolysis) and disrupt blood
clotting, and cause organ degeneration and
generalized tissue damage. An injury due
to a hemotoxic agent is often very painful,
and permanent damage, such as loss of an
affected limb, is possible even with prompt
treatment. Hemotoxins are frequently seen
in venomous animals, such as pit vipers. In
addition to killing the prey, part of the
function of hemotoxic venom for some ani-
mals is to aid digestion -- the venom breaks
down proteins in the region of the bite,
making prey easier to digest. In M&M game
terms, these are most always a Drain on
Constitution, though in many cases the dam-
age to muscle tissues can be considered a
Drain on Strength. Neurotoxins acts
specifically on nerve cells (neurons), usually
by interacting with membrane proteins and
ion channels. They cause loss of coordina-
tion and eventual paralysis; in M&M game
terms these usually Drain on Dexterity,
though by blocking neuromuscular transmis-
sions can act as muscle relaxants and so
Drain Strength as well. Some animal ven-
oms contain enzymes and other proteins
that are both hemotoxic and neurotoxic
(such as the Mojave rattlesnake). Some
substances -- most notably alcohol -- dull
areas of the brain responsible for planning
and motor learning, and an increased
metabolism in areas of the brain associated
with movement causes reward systems in
the brain to become more active. In M&M
game terms, this would be a Drain on
Wisdom. Narcotics can cause a variety of
effects, including drowsiness, inability to
concentrate, apathy, lessened physical
activity, respiratory depression, constric-
tion of the pupils, dilation of the subcuta-
neous blood vessels causing flushing of the
face and neck. In M&M game terms, these
29
would also be a Drain on Wisdom.
All the following toxins have the
Restricted - Poison Flaw. The effects of a
Power with this Flaw are actually from a
toxic substance the character spreads.
Characters with Immunity (Poison) are com-
pletely unaffected by it, and characters
with the Regenerate power add their rank
to the Fortitude saving throw against the
effect (the effects of a Power with this
Flaw are always resisted by Fortitude).
Characters who have the Healing power can
add their power rank as a bonus to the vic-
tims saving throw against the Power (both
the initial save and the save against any
Secondary effects), and the Medicine skill
can substitute for a saving throw against
the effect (initial or Secondary) if the skill
check result is higher. The Healing and
Regeneration powers can be used to more
quickly restore ability score points lost to a
poison/Drain. Make a power check against a
DC equal to that of the poison. If the
check is successful, a number of drained
ability score points are restored equal to
the rank of the Healing or Regeneration
power. Characters may attempt to restore
drained ability score points in this fashion
once per day per.
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Example: Joe Mook, while travelling
in India after his bout with anthrax, is bit-
ten by a cobra. The venom courses through
his veins, and he loses 8 points of both
Strength and Dexterity. By a strange coin-
cidence, the same kindly mutant (with the
power of Healing +5) happens by and offers
to treat Joe. The healer makes a Healing
Power check (1d20 +5) vs. a DC of 14 (the
DC of the Cobra Venom). If the healer
succeeds, Joe has 5 points of his lost abili-
ty scores restored (either 2 Strength and
3 Dexterity, or 3 Strength and 2
Dexterity).
Most of these poisons have the
Secondary Effect extra, repeating the
Drain effect 10 rounds/1 minute later, and
the Slow Recovery x3 extra, causing lost
ability points to return at the rate of
1/day. Many also have the Virulent power
stunt. This Power Stunt adds +2 to the
save DC of the power, thus making it hard-
er to resist, though the effect remains the
same. (This Power Stunt is based on the
original version of the Penetrating Attack
super-feat presented in the M&M core
rulebook.) Conversely, a few of these tox-
ins have the Dilute Flaw, which reduces the
DC of the effect, thus making it easier to
resist.
Alcohol
Alcohol -- or, more precisely, ethanol --
has been consumed by humans since pre-
historic times, for a variety of hygienic,
dietary, medicinal, religious, and recreation-
al reasons. While infrequent consumption of
ethanol in small quantities may be harmless
or even beneficial, larger doses result in a
state known as drunkenness or intoxication.
Depending on the dose and regularity of
use, alcohol can cause acute respiratory
failure or death and with chronic use can
cause severe health problems, such as liver
and brain damage.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 1; Extras: All
Attributes (Dexterity & Wisdom), Slow
Recovery x2 (1/hour); Flaw: Restricted-
Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 4pp.
[The effects of some alcoholic beverages
may be harder to resist than others,
though the effects themselves remain
largely the same; this can be simulated by
the Fortified/Strong power stunt, which
functions the same as the Virulent power
stunt. Beers generally have a DC of 10 to
13, wines a DC of 11 to 12, and spirits a DC
of 11 to 15. Actual alcohol poisoning can
come into effect if both the character's
Dexterity and Wisdom are drained to 0; in
this case the character begins losing one
point of Constitution per 10 minutes until
death occurs or their stomach is pumped.]
Arsenic
Arsenic is a poisonous metalloid used in
pesticides, herbicides and insecticides. It
comes in two forms, yellow and gray/metal-
lic, and is so chemically similar to phospho-
rous that it will partly substitute for it in
biochemical reactions. "Pressure treated
wood" is often treated with chromated cop-
per arsenate (CCA), and inhalation of the
ash of burning CCA timber can lead to
arsenic poisoning.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 6; Extras:
30
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Partial Extra: Drain/Ability 2
(Extras: Triggered-on Drain/Constitution;
Power Stunt: Virulent; Flaws: Limited-
Strength only, Restricted-Only When
Triggered; Cost: 1pp); Flaw: Limited-
Constitution only, Restricted-Poison; Partial
Flaw: Dilute 2 (DC is 14); Cost: 4/3pp;
Total: 24pp.
[Victims must make a DC 14 Fortitude
save or be affected by a Drain/Constitution
6, and a DC 14 Fortitude save or be affect-
ed by a Drain/Strength 2; 10 rounds/1
minute later they must make similar saves
against similar effects.]
Atropine
Atropine is an alkaloid extracted from the
deadly nightshade, and was widely used by
opticians to dilate eyes before performing
an eye exam. Its use in this regard has
lessened as faster-degrading compounds
have been created. Injections of atropine
are used in the treatment of bradycardia
(an extremely low heart rate) and pulseless
electrical activity (PEA) in cardiac arrest.
Adverse reactions to atropine include ven-
tricular fibrillation, supraventricular or ven-
tricular tachycardia (abnormally rapid beat-
ing of the heart), giddiness, nausea, blurred
vision, loss of balance, dilated pupils, photo-
phobia, and occasionally confusion, halluci-
nations and excitation. These latter
effects are due to the fact that atropine is
able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 3; Extras: All
Attributes (Strength & Dexterity),
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
31
(1/day); Flaw: Restricted-Poison; Cost: 6pp;
Total: 18pp.
Bee Venom
Bee Venom is acidic and designed to cause
extreme pain to the target stung, because
their sting's purpose is to defend their
home and food stores. Though most bee
stings do little lasting damage, some people
are highly allergic to bee venom and go into
anaphylaxis (a.k.a. anaphylactic shock) if
stung. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include
respiratory distress, hypotension (low blood
pressure), unconsciousness (either a sud-
den, short-term faint or a prolonged coma),
urticaria (hives - raised red skin welts),
angioedema (swelling of the face, neck and
throat), severe itching, vasodilation (dila-
tion/widening of blood vessels), and bron-
chospasm (constriction of the airways).
Because a bee's stinger is barbed, a bee
that successfully stings another creature
must tear the stinger out of its own body,
leaving both the stinger and a portion of its
own abdomen inside the target; the bee
soon dies afterwards.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 4; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Dilute (DC is 10), Limited-
Constitution only, Restricted-Poison; Cost:
3pp; Total: 12pp.
Belladonna
Belladonna, also known as deadly night-
shade, is even more toxic than the atropine
that is derived from it. Children have been
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
poisoned by as few as three of the berries,
and a small leaf thoroughly chewed can be a
fatal dose for an adult. Symptoms of bel-
ladonna poisoning are the same as those for
atropine and
include dilated
pupils, tachycar-
dia, hallucinations
(indistinguishable
from reality),
blurred vision, loss
of balance, a feel-
ing of flight, stag-
gering, a sense of
suffocation, pale-
ness followed by a
red rash, flushing, husky voice, extremely
dry throat, constipation, urinary retention,
and confusion. In some cases, the skin can
completely dry out and slough off. Fatal
cases have a rapid pulse that turns feeble.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 9; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Limited-Strength only,
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 36pp.
Black Widow
Spider Venom
Black Widow Spider Venom is a potent
neurotoxin. Death is rare, as black widow
venom acts by causing a localized release of
neurotransmitters involved in muscular con-
traction. A bite results in a severe, uncon-
trollable, and prolonged muscle contraction
in the area of the bite; since most bites
occur on the foot or hand, far from the
heart or other major organ, death rarely
results. As with most cases of arthropod
venom, however, some people may experi-
ence a severe allergic reaction to a black
widow bite and go into anaphylactic shock.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras: All
Attributes (Strength & Dexterity),
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Dilute (DC is 10), Restricted-
Poison; Cost: 5pp; Total: 10pp.
Blue-Ringed
Octopus Venom
Blue-Ringed Octopus Venom is chemically
similar to that of the pufferfish's poison,
though the octopus can transmit the sub-
stance through a bite.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 4; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Power Stunt: Virulent (DC 16);
Flaw: Limited-Constitution only, Restricted-
Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 18pp.
Blue Vitriol
Blue Vitriol is the pentahydrate of cupric
sulfate, and occurs naturally in the mineral
chalcanthite as a blue or blue-green triclin-
ic crystal. Chalcanthite is water-soluble
and commonly found in the late-stage oxi-
dation zones of copper deposits. Due to its
ready solubility, chalcanthite is more fre-
quently found in greater abundance in arid
regions.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Limited-Constitution only,
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 8pp.
32
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Botulin toxin
Botulin toxin (or botox) is the toxic com-
pound produced by the bacterium
Clostridium botulinium. It is an enzyme that
breaks down one of the fusion proteins that
allow neurons to release acetylcholine at a
neuromuscular junction. By interfering with
nerve impulses in this way, it causes paraly-
sis of muscles seen in cases of botulism. It
is possibly the most toxic substance known,
with a lethal dose of about 300 pg/kg,
meaning that somewhat over a hundred
grams could kill every human living on the
earth. Botulin toxin has always been con-
sidered an ideal agent for chemical warfare
(though, given its origins, the distinction
from biological warfare is a thin one), since
it oxidizes rapidly on exposure to air, so an
area attacked with a toxin aerosol would be
safe to enter within a day or so. The CIA
once prepared some cigars of Fidel Castro's
favorite brand, saturating them with botu-
linum toxin, as a possible assassination ploy.
The cigars were never used, but when test-
ed years later were still found to be highly
lethal. Botulin toxin is used (usually under a
trademarked name such as "Botox") for
producing long-term (months) paralysis of
muscles. This was intended for the relief
of uncontrollable muscle spasms, but is
increasingly being used for cosmetic pur-
poses, to paralyze facial muscles as a means
of concealing wrinkles.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 6; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Limited-Constitution only,
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 24pp.
33
Chloral Hydrate
Chloral Hydrate is a sedative and hypnotic
drug, used for the short-term treatment of
insomnia, as a sedative before minor med-
ical or dental treatment, and as a general
anesthetic in veterinary medicine. An over-
dose is marked by confusion, convulsions,
nausea and vomiting, severe drowsiness,
slow and irregular breathing, cardiac
arrhythmia and weakness. It may also cause
liver damage, and is moderately addictive.
Mixed with alcohol, it was the first "Mickey
Finn." It was discovered in 1832 by Justuc
von Liebig in Giessen, and was widely abused
and misprescribed in the late 19th century.
Effect: Fatigue 8; Partial Extra:
Drain/Ability 3 (Extras: Secondary Effect,
Slow Recovery x3 [1/day], Triggered [on
Fatigue]; Power Stunt: Virulent x2 [DC 17],
Flaw: Limited-Dexterity only, Restricted
[Drain only when Triggered]; Cost: 5); Flaw:
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 1pp; Total: 27pp.
Chloroform
Chloroform a colorless liquid with a pleas-
ant, non-irritating odor and a slightly sweet
taste. It is a member of a subset of envi-
ronmental pollutants known as tri-
halomethanes, a by-product of chlorination
of drinking water and a long-standing health
concern. Chloroform was first produced
independently and simultaneously in 1831 by
Justus von Liebig and the French chemist
Eugene Soubeiran. It was used widely as a
general anesthetic throughout the late 19th
and early 20th centuries, but abandoned in
favor of ether upon discovery of its unde-
sirable toxicological properties and its
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
propensity to cause sudden, fatal cardiac
arrhythmia.
Effect: Fatigue 7; Flaw: Restricted-Poison;
Cost: 1pp; Total: 7pp.
Cobra Venom
Cobra Venom contains a powerful neuro-
toxin, which can be fatal within minutes of
the initial bite. Most people who have been
killed by cobra bites, however, were either
very young, very old, or subject to multiple
envenomations.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 4; Extras: All
Physical Attributes (Strength,
Dexterity and Constitution),
Secondary Effect, Slow
Recovery x3 (1/day); Flaw:
Restricted-Poison;
Cost: 6pp; Total:
24pp.
Curare
Curare is an extremely potent neurotoxin.
Used as an arrow poison by some Indian
peoples of South America, it is a natural
resinous extract obtained from several
tropical American woody plants. The active
ingredients of curare are alkaloids that
affect neuromuscular transmission, thereby
acting as muscle relaxants. Death from
curare is caused by asphyxia resulting from
paralysis of the respiratory muscles. The
toxin kills only if it enters the blood
stream. The amounts used to hunt animal
are easily broken down in the gut, making
the downed game safe for hunters and oth-
ers to eat. As curare acts only at muscular
synapses and does not cross the blood-brain
barrier, a victim of curare poisoning may be
aware of what is happening until the very
end. Consequently, the victim can feel the
paralysis progressing but is quickly unable
to move, call out or gesture. Curare has
also been used for treating the paralysis
caused by tetanus ("lockjaw"), because the
muscle relaxant counters the contractions
caused by the tetanus toxin.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 12; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaws: Limited-Dexterity Only,
Restricted-Poison; Partial Flaw: Dilute 5
(DC 17); Cost: 4/3pp; Total: 43pp.
Cyanide
Cyanide is a cyanogen salt that bonds with
an enzyme involved in ATP production.
Victims of cyanide poisoning exhibit vomit-
ing, convulsions, deep breathing, shortness
of breath and anxiety; more serious cases
result in convulsions, loss of consciousness,
and death after apnea (absence of external
breathing) and heart arrest; victims also
often exhibit a breath odor of bitter
almonds and a bluish coloration of the skin
due to the presence of deoxygenated blood
in vessels near the skin surface. Cyanide is
generally delivered in the form of gaseous
hydrogen cyanide (HCN) or in the form of
potassium cyanide (KCN) or sodium cyanide
(NaCN), white solids or powder with a bit-
ter, almond-like odor in damp air. Zyklon B,
the poison gas used in Nazi gas chambers
during the Holocaust, works by delivering
hydrogen cyanide gas; cyanide is also the
34
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
compound used in US execution chambers.
Poisoning by cyanide also figures prominent-
ly in crime fiction, particularly the works of
Agatha Christie, and cyanide salts are used
in fast-acting "suicide pills."
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 9; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Limited-Constitution only,
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 36pp.
DDT
Dichloro-diphenyl-dichloromethane, is a
colorless crystalline substance which is
practically insoluble in water but highly sol-
uble in fats and most organic solvents. DDT
was developed as the first of the modern
insecticides early in World War II, initially
used with great effect to combat mosqui-
toes spreading malaria, typhus, and other
insect-borne human diseases among both
military and civilian populations. In the
early 1960s, Rachel Carson, through publi-
cation of the book Silent Spring, aroused
public opinion against DDT with her claim
that DDT caused cancer and harmed bird
reproduction by thinning egg shells.
Neither claim has been substantiated in
scientific studies: no link between DDT and
human cancer has been found, and thinned
eggshells have been produced only in stud-
ies using thousands of times more DDT
than would be found in the wild.
Nevertheless, Carson's book caused an out-
cry that eventually led to the pesticide
being banned for agricultural use in most
developed nations, and was one of the sig-
nature events in the birth of the environ-
mental movement. The resulting ban is
widely regarded as a major factor in the
35
recovery of bald eagle populations in the
United States. DDT is not particularly
toxic to humans, compared to other widely
used pesticides. In particular, no link to
cancer has yet been established. Numerous
studies have been conducted, including one
in which humans voluntarily ingested 35 mg
of DDT daily for almost two years.
However, fertility studies in Scandinavia,
where DDT was widely used to control
pests, have found that the average male
sperm count has dropped by almost 50%
since DDT started to be used, while there
is an increased rate of certain cancers of
the reproductive organs compared to for-
mer years. These studies have not yet
demonstrated a causative link between DDT
and other effects, however. DDT was fist
synthesized in 1873, and its insecticidal
properties were discovered by the Swiss
scientist Paul Hermann Müller in 1939, who
was awarded the 1948 Nobel Prize in
Physiology and Medicine for his efforts.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 3; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Power Stunt: Virulent x2 (DC 17);
Flaw: Limited-Strength only, Restricted-
Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 14pp.
Digitalis
Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of
herbaceous biennials, perennials and shrubs
in the foxglove family Scrophulariaceae.
The members of this genus are known in
English as foxgloves. They are native in
Europe, northwest Africa and west and cen-
tral Asia. The scientific name means "fin-
ger," and refers to the ease which a flower
of Digitalis purpurea can be fitted over a
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
human fingertip. "Foxglove" has a similar
origin, seen as a suitable glove for a fox
paw. The flowers are produced on a tall
spike, are tubular, and vary in color with
species, from purple to pink, white and yel-
low. The best-known species is the Common
foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, and is often
grown as an ornamental plant due to its vio-
let flowers. The first year of growth pro-
duces only the long, basal leaves, while in
the second year the erect leafy stem 0.5-
2.5 m tall develops. In contemporary medi-
cine, digitalis extract is often prescribed
for patients in heart failure. A group of
pharmacologically active compounds are
extracted mostly from the leaves of the
second year's growth, and in pure form are
referred to by common chemical names
such as digitoxin or digoxin, or by brand
names such as Lanoxin, or Purgoxin.
Digitalis works by inhibiting sodium-potassi-
um ATPase, which increases intracellular
calcium. This inhibition increases the
amount of Ca++ ions available for contrac-
tion, improving cardiac output and reducing
distention of the heart. It has an anti-
arrhythmic effect by prolonging the
refractory period of the AV node (Atrio-
ventricular), reducing the number of impuls-
es reaching the ventricles. Digitalis toxicity
(Digitalis intoxication) results from an over-
dose of digitalis and can result in jaundiced
(yellow) vision and the appearance of
blurred outlines (halos), as well as brady-
cardia (an extremely low heart rate) in
extreme cases. Because a frequent side
effect of digitalis is reduction of appetite,
some individuals have abused the drug as a
weight loss aid. Digitalis is a classic exam-
ple of a drug derived from a plant formerly
used by folklorists and herbalists: herbal-
ists have largely abandoned its use because
of its narrow therapeutic index and the
difficulty of determining the amount of
active drug in herbal preparations. Once
the usefulness of digitalis in regulating
pulse was understood, it was employed for a
variety of purposes, including the treat-
ment of epilepsy and other seizure disor-
ders, a treatment now considered inappro-
priate. The use of Digitalis purpurea
extract containing cardiac glycosides for
the treatment of heart conditions was first
described by William Withering.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 8; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Limited-Constitution only,
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 32pp.
"Dust of Death"
"Dust of Death" was a poison used by the
Red Skull of Marvel comics. The chemical
composition of this powder is unknown, but
it kills a victim within seconds of making
contact with his or her skin, causing the
skin on the victim's head to tighten, shrivel,
and take on a red discoloration, while caus-
ing all the hair on the victim's head to fall
out. As a result, the victim's corpse
appears to have a red skull for a head. The
Skull could fire his "dust of death" in pellet
form from a special handgun, and had spe-
cial cigarette holders that held a dose
which could be blown onto someone nearby.
Effect: Drain/Ability 10; Extra:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaws: Limited-Constitution only,
Obvious, Restricted-Poison; Cost: 3pp;
Total: 30pp.
36
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Hemlock
Hemlock is a name shared by many related
species of toxic plants, including the Poison
Hemlock (Conium maculatum) and the Water
Hemlock (Cicuta virosa). All are members
of the family Apiaceae. Many types of
hemlock are identical to fennel or parsley,
and the root can be mistaken for parsnip.
Unlike fennel, which as the odor or anise or
licorice, most hemlocks have a mouse-like or
musty smell. Hemlock sap is a potent neu-
rotoxin, disrupting the entire central nerv-
ous system and causing nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, tremors and seizures. Most
species of hemlock are native to Europe and
Asia, but have been introduced and natural-
ized in many other areas, including North
America and Australia. The most famous
victim of Hemlock poisoning was Socrates,
who was given a solution of hemlock in 399
B.C.E. after being condemned to death for
impiety.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 8; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Limited-Constitution only,
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 32pp.
Joker Venom
Joker Venom is the calling card of the
Joker, DC's Clown Prince of Crime. A hell-
ish mixture of hydrogen-cyanide and
Strychnodide (a strychnine derivative), the
toxin causes immediate cessation of heart
and brain functions. As a cruel side effect,
the victim is further humiliated by having
his/her muscles contract in such a way as
to severely tighten and discolor the vic-
tim's skin, especially in the facial area.
37
This leaves the vic-
tim's corpse perma-
nently scarred with a
clown-like grin in trib-
ute to his killer.
Since the Joker
Venom is just as
deadly if absorbed
through the pores as
it is if inhaled, the
Joker occasionally
releases it in gas
form throughout the central heating/cool-
ing vents of a building (adding the Area and
Obscure extras to the effect).
Effect: Drain/Ability 8; Extra: Secondary
Effect, Slow Recovery x3 (1/day); Flaws:
Limited-Constitution only, Obvious,
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 3pp; Total: 24pp.
[Note: the above flavor text was taken
from the DC Technical Manual: S.T.A.R.
Labs 1993 Annual Report, written by Jerry
A. Novick, for the DC Heroes Role-Playing
Game published by Mayfair Games, Inc.]
Knockout Gas
Knockout Gas is a fictional substance used
in certain types of stories. It is presented
in various forms, but generally provides a
harmless way of rendering characters
unconscious. Knockout gas is usually found
in science fiction stories and is also a staple
of pulp fiction.
Effect: Fatigue 8; Partial Extra:
Drain/Ability 1 (Extras: Secondary Effect,
Slow Recovery x3 (1/day); Power Stunt:
Virulent x3 (DC 17); Flaws: Limited-
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Dexterity only; Cost: 5); Flaw: Restricted-
Poison; Cost: 1pp; Total: 19pp.
Lead Arsenate
(Gas)
Lead Arsenate (Gas) is created when solid
lead arsenate is heated -- the substance
sublimes, transitioning from a solid state
directly to a gaseous one.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Partial Extra: Drain/Ability 1
(Extras: Triggered-on Drain/Constitution;
Flaws: Limited-Strength only, Restricted-
Only When Triggered; Cost: 1pp); Flaw:
Limited-Constitution only, Restricted-
Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 9pp.
[Victims must make a DC 12 Fortitude
save or be affected by a Drain/Constitution
2, and a DC 11 Fortitude save or be affect-
ed by a Drain/Strength 1; 10 rounds/1
minute later they must make similar saves
against similar effects.]
Lead Arsenate
(Solid)
Lead Arsenate (Solid) has been used, well
into the 20th century, as a pesticide on
fruit trees, resulting in neurological damage
to those working the sprayers. Symptoms
of lead poisoning include reduced IQ, irri-
tability, insomnia, excess lethargy or hyper-
activity, poor appetite, headache and in
extreme cases seizure and coma. Once in
the body, lead is biologically inactive -- its
toxic properties come from lead's ability to
mimic other biologically important metals,
most notably iron and zinc. Lead is able to
bind to and interact with the same proteins
and molecules as iron, but after replacing
iron, those molecules function differently
and fail to carry out the same reactions.
Worse, the arsenic in lead arsenate will
partly substitute for phosphorous in bio-
chemical reactions, making this compound
doubly dangerous.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 3; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Limited-Constitution only,
Restricted-Poison; Partial Flaw: Dilute 1 (DC
is 12); Cost: 4pp; Total: 11pp.
Mustard Gas
Mustard Gas is a compound that was first
used as a chemical weapon in World War I.
In pure form, it is a colorless, odorless, vis-
cous liquid at room temperature. The name
comes from impure mustard gas, which is
usually yellow-brown in color and has an
odor resembling mustard, garlic or horse-
radish. Mustard gas has a strong tendency
to bond to the guanine nitrogen in DNA
strands, leading either to immediate cellu-
lar death or cancer. Mustard gas is not
very soluble in water, but is very soluble in
fat, contributing to its rapid absorption
into the skin. Those exposed usually suffer
no immediate symptoms, but the exposure
develops (in 4 to 24 hours) into deep, itch-
ing or burning blisters wherever the mus-
tard contacted the skin; the eyes (if
exposed) become sore and the eyelids
swollen, possibly leading to conjunctivitis
and blindness. At very high concentrations,
38
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
if inhaled, it causes bleeding and blistering
within the respiratory system, damaging
the mucous membrane and leading to pul-
monary edema. Blister agent exposure over
more than 50% body surface area is usually
fatal. Most of the mustard gas found in
Germany after World War II was dumped
into the Baltic Sea, though shells containing
mustard gas and other toxic ammunition
from World War I (as well as conventional
explosives) can still occasionally be found in
France. It was first synthesized in 1860 by
Frederick Guthrie, though it is possible it
was developed as early as 1822 by M.
Depretz.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 6; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Power Stunt: Virulent (DC 18);
Flaw: Limited-Constitution only, Restricted-
Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 26pp.
39
Paris Green (Gas)
Paris Green (Gas) is the sublimated form
of solid Paris Green. When heated, solid
Paris Green transitions directly into a
gaseous form, with no intermediary liquid
state.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 3; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Limited-Constitution only,
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 12pp.
Paris Green (Solid)
Paris Green (Solid) is a sulfide of arsenic.
It is an extremely poisonous, bright green
powder that was formerly used extensively
as a pigment in wallpaper. It was also used
as an insecticide or fungicide.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 4; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Limited-Constitution only,
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 16pp.
Phosgene
Phosgene was one of many chemical
weapons used in World War I. Phosgene
comes as either a colorless gas or a refrig-
erated liquid; it has an odor reminiscent of
moldy hay. It is a particularly insidious poi-
son, as phosgene exposure often has no ini-
tial symptoms. Symptoms usually appear
within 24 hours, but can take up to 72
hours to manifest. The gas combines with
water in the tissues of the respiratory
tract to form carbon dioxide and
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
hydrochloric acid, which then dissolves the
membranes in the lungs. Fluid fills the
lungs, and death results from a combination
of blood loss, shock, and respiratory fail-
ure. Unlike nerve agents, phosgene must be
inhaled to cause harm and cannot be
absorbed through the skin. Phosgene was
responsible for most of the about 100,000
gas-caused deaths during World War I.
Effect: Suffocate 9; Extras: Delay (22-72
hours); Flaw: Restricted (see below); Cost:
3pp; Total: 27pp.
[Note: Phosgene was not given the
Restricted-Poison flaw, because the sub-
stance does not act on any traditional toxic
mechanisms - it simply transmutes into acid
in the victim's lungs. However, character's
who have the Immunity/Suffocation or
Immunity/Chemical super-feat are immune
to the effects of Phosgene. "Chemical" is
an "energy type" first presented in Green
Ronin's Crooks!.]
Pufferfish Poison
Pufferfish Poison, or tetrodotoxin, is gen-
erated not by the fish itself but rather by
various bacteria living within the fish. A
single pufferfish contains enough
tetrodotoxin to kill approximately thirty
adult humans. Pufferfish poison is a potent
neurotoxin, shutting down electrical signal-
ing in nerves and paralyzing the victim,
though since it does not cross the blood-
brain barrier the poison itself does not ren-
der the victim unconscious.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 3; Extras:
Paralysis (Extra: Triggered on Drain; Flaw:
Only when Triggered), Secondary Effect,
Slow Recovery x3 (1/day); Flaw: Limited-
Strength only, Restricted-Poison; Cost: 5pp;
Total: 15pp.
Rattlesnake
Venom
Rattlesnake Venom is in
most cases hemo-
toxic, destroy-
ing/pre-digesting the
tissues at the site of
the bite. Some trop-
ical species of rat-
tlesnake, however,
have a neurotoxic venom
which can interfere with the function of
the heart and paralyze the lungs.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 6; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Limited-Constitution only,
Restricted-Poison; Partial Flaw: Dilute 4
(DC is 12); Cost: 4pp; Total: 20pp.
Ricin
Ricin (pronounced rye-sin) is extracted
from castor beans. Ricin is poisonous if
inhaled, injected, or ingested, interfering
with RNA function and thus inhibiting of
protein synthesis. There is no known anti-
dote to ricin poisoning, and long-term organ
damage is likely in survivors. In small
doses, such as the typical dose contained in
a measure of castor oil, ricin causes diges-
tive tract cramps. Ingested in larger
doses, ricin causes severe diarrhea and vic-
tims can die of shock. The best-known doc-
40
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
umented use of ricin as an agent of biologi-
cal warfare was by the Soviet Union's KGB
during the Cold War. In 1978, the Bulgarian
dissident Georgi Markov was assassinated
by Bulgarian secret police who surrepti-
tiously shot him on a London street with a
modified umbrella using compressed gas to
fire a tiny pellet contaminated with ricin
into his leg. He died in hospital a few days
later; the pellet was discovered entirely by
happenstance. Despite ricin's extreme tox-
icity and utility as an agent of
chemical/biological warfare, it is extremely
difficult to limit the production of the
toxin. Under both the 1972 Biological
Weapons Convention and the 1997 Chemical
Weapons Convention, ricin is defined as a
"schedule one" controlled substance.
Despite this, more than 1 million metric
tons of castor beans are processed each
year, and approximately 5% of the total is
rendered into a waste containing high con-
centrations of ricin toxin. Though ricin is
quite lethal and easy to obtain, it's main
drawback as a weapon is that it readily
degrades into harmless compounds upon
exposure to ozone, nitrogen oxides, and
other oxidizing pollutants in the air.
Although the castor bean plant has long
been noted for its toxicity, ricin was first
isolated and named in 1888 by Herman
Stillmark.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 9; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Partial Extra: Drain/Ability 6
(Extras: Triggered-on Drain/Constitution;
Power Stunt: Virulent x3; Flaws: Limited-
Strength only, Restricted-Only When
Triggered; Cost: 1pp); Power Stunt:
Virulent; Flaw: Limited-Constitution only,
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 50pp.
41
[Victims must make a DC 21 Fortitude
save or be affected by a Drain/Constitution
9, and a DC 22 Fortitude save or be affect-
ed by a Drain/Strength 6; 10 rounds/1
minute later they must make similar saves
against similar effects.]
Sarin
Sarin, a G-series nerve agent, is one of
the world's most dangerous chemical
weapons. At room temperature, sarin is a
colorless, odorless liquid. Its relatively
high vapor pressure means that it evapo-
rates quickly, and its vapor is also colorless
and odorless; it can be made more persist-
ent through the addition of certain oils or
petroleum products. Sarin attacks the
nervous system of the body, forming bonds
at certain sites that cause neurotransmit-
ters to build up, effectively causing a con-
tinual transmission of nerve impulses.
Initial symptoms following exposure to sarin
are a runny nose, tightness in the chest and
dilation of the pupils. Soon after, the vic-
tim has difficulty breathing and experi-
ences nausea and drooling. As the victim
continues to lose control of bodily func-
tions, he vomits, defecates and urinates.
This phase is followed by twitching and
jerking, and ultimately the victim becomes
comatose and suffocates as a consequence
of convulsive spasms. Atropine, which
inhibits neurotransmitters, is an antidote to
sarin poisoning. Sarin was discovered in
1928 in Germany.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 6; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Power Stunt: Virulent (DC 18);
Flaw: Limited-Constitution only, Restricted-
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 26pp.
Scorpion Venom
Scorpion Venom is a
fast-acting neurotox-
in that they use to
kill or paralyze their
prey. The venom of
most scorpions is
geared towards activ-
ity in other arthro-
pods (insects and
arachnids), and so is rel-
atively harmless to humans,
producing only local pain, numb-
ness and swelling. Some scorpi-
ons, however, do possess venom potent
enough to do serious harm to humans.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras: All
Attributes (Strength & Constitution),
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Restricted-Poison; Cost: 6pp;
Total: 12pp.
Sea Wasp
Jellyfish Venom
Sea Wasp Jellyfish Venom is one of the
most potent naturally-occurring venoms
known, if not the most potent. It is a pow-
erful neurotoxin, causing paralysis and
extreme pain. The pain has been described
as so great that some people have gone into
shock and drowned before succumbing to
the full effects of the venom. Fortunately,
the nematocysts -- the stinging cells in a
jellyfish's tentacles which deliver the toxin
-- are unable to penetrate even a thin layer
of nylon, so swimmers can protect them-
selves by wearing pantyhose on their legs
and arms (a not uncommon site among
Australian lifeguards).
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 8; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Limited-Dexterity only,
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 32pp.
Spitting Cobra
Venom
Spitting Cobra Venom is intended to be
sprayed into the eyes of their victims,
causing severe irritation, necrosis of the
cornea and in some cases permanent blind-
ness. The snakes spit this venom with near-
perfect aim at targets up to ten feet/three
meters away. This potent cocktail of hemo-
toxins and neurotoxins takes some time to
break down -- if it gets on an item a char-
acter has, and they then touch the item and
later touch their eyes without thoroughly
washing their hands first, they can fall vic-
tim to the same effects.
Effect: Dazzle 4; Cost: 2pp; Total: 8pp.
Strychnine
Strychnine is a highly toxic colorless crys-
talline alkaloid used as a pesticide, most
commonly in rat poison. Strychnine poison-
ing can occur via inhalation, swallowing or
skin contact, and produces some of the
most dramatic, terrifying, best known, and
painful symptoms imaginable. 10 to 20 min-
42
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
utes after exposure, every muscle in the
body will start to simultaneously contract,
starting with the head and neck. The
spasms then spread to every muscle in the
body, with nearly continuous convulsions,
getting worse at the slightest stimulus.
They progress, increasing in intensity and
frequency until the backbone arches contin-
ually. Death comes from asphyxiation
caused by paralysis of the brain's breathing
apparatus, or by exhaustion from the con-
vulsions. At that time, the body "freezes,"
even in the middle of a convulsion. Rigor
mortis sets in immediately, with the eyes
left wide open.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 4; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Partial Extra: Drain/Ability 1
(Extras: Triggered-on Drain/Constitution;
Power Stunt: Virulent; Flaws: Limited-
Dexterity only, Restricted-Only When
Triggered; Cost: 1pp); Power Stunt: Virulent
x3 (DC 20); Flaw: Limited-Constitution only,
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 25pp.
[Victims must make a DC 20 Fortitude
save or be affected by a Drain/Constitution
4, and a DC 19 Fortitude save or be affect-
ed by a Drain/Dexterity 1; 10 rounds/1
minute later they must make similar saves
against similar effects.]
Tarantula Venom
Tarantula Venom has well-known neurotox-
ic effects, though there are no substanti-
ated reports of tarantula bites proving
fatal to a human due both to the small
amounts injected in a bite and the fairly
docile nature of tarantulas. It was once
43
thought that a cure for tarantula venom
would be to dance around in a wild fashion;
this dance came to be known as the
Tarantella. Research done into the venom
of certain species of tarantulas shows that
the proteins in it has the potential to slow
heart attacks and retard the growth of
brain tumors.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 2; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Limited-Strength only,
Restricted-Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 8pp.
Tear Gas
Tear Gas is a non-specific term for any
chemical that is used to cause temporary
incapacitation through irritation of eyes
and/or respiratory system. Tear gas is
used as a hand-held spray or in grenades,
and is widely used by police forces to sub-
due people in arrest or riot situations.
Effect: Dazzle 5; Cost: 2pp; Total: 10pp.
[A Tear Gas Grenade would have the Area
extra and the Device and Uses x4 flaws.]
VX Nerve Gas
VX Nerve Gas is the most well-known of
the V-series of nerve agents, due in part to
being featured in the 1996 action movie
The Rock. VX has the texture and feel of
high-grade motor oil, with low viscosity and
low volatility. This makes it especially dan-
gerous, as it has a high persistence in the
environment. VX works as a nerve agent by
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
blocking the function of neurotransmitter-
hydrolyzing enzymes, causing neurotrans-
mitters to build up and thus causing nerves
to fire continuously, resulting in contrac-
tions of all the involuntary muscles in the
body. VX is often regarded as the dead-
liest nerve agent created to date, since as
little as 10 mg is enough to kill an average
person. Atropine is the most commonly
used antidote, though it must be adminis-
tered within seconds of exposure for it to
be effective. VX was developed in 1952 in
England.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 9; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Power Stunt: Virulent x2 (DC 23);
Flaw: Limited-Constitution only, Restricted-
Poison; Cost: 4pp; Total: 40pp.
Viper Venom
Viper Venom can cause bleeding of internal
organs, particularly the brain or bowels.
Additionally, the victim may bleed from the
bite site, or spontaneously from the mouth
or old wounds. Unchecked bleeding can
cause shock and lead to death.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 6; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Dilute (DC is 10), Limited-
Constitution only, Restricted-Poison; Cost:
3pp; Total: 18pp.
Wasp Venom
Wasp Venom is designed to paralyze the
prey, so it can be stored alive in the food
chambers of their young. As with bee
stings, most wasp stings have no major
effect on humans, but some people are
extremely allergic and go into anaphylactic
shock if stung.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 6; Extras:
Secondary Effect, Slow Recovery x3
(1/day); Flaw: Dilute (DC is 10), Limited-
Dexterity only, Restricted-Poison; Cost:
3pp; Total: 18pp.
Wolfsbane
Wolfsbane is one of 100 species of plants
in the genus Aconitum, in the family
Ranunculaceae. Related species include
aconite and monkshood. Many species are
cultivated in gardens due tot heir eye-
catching blue or yellow flowers, which
resemble cylindrical helmets. Aconitine,
the active principle alkaloid derived from
Aconitum plants, is a crystalline base that
is soluble in alcohol but not water.
Aconitine first stimulates and then para-
lyzes the nervous system, especially the
nerves associated with pain, touch, and
temperature. It also stimulates the cardio-
inhibitory center in the medulla oblongata
(at the root of the vagus nerve) and the
nerve ganglia of the heart itself.
Circulation and pulse are slowed, often down
to 40 or 30 beats/minute, blood pressure
falls, and the heart is arrested in diastole
(the "dub" in the "lub-dub" of a heartbeat);
respiration also slows. Additional symptoms
include a sensation of burning, tingling and
numbness in the mouth, and of burning in
the abdomen. As in strychnine poisoning,
the patient is conscious and clear-minded to
the last. Treatment is to empty the stom-
44
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
ach (usually employing a tube or an emetic,
or nausea-inducing compound), and treat-
ment with atropine (which speed up nervous
reactions) and alcohol (which breaks down
the aconitine in the system). The plants
need not be eaten to produce a toxic
effect -- aconitine can be easily absorbed
through the skin simply by picking the
plant's leaves and absorbing the sap
through the skin. In this case, a tingling
sensation will be experienced at the point
of absorption, extending up the arm and
shoulder. Soon after, the heart will be
affected, and an unpleasant numbness will
replace the tingling sensation. The root of
the Common Monkshood (Aconitum napellus,
the most common plant in this genus) has
often been mistaken for horseradish; ama-
teur home gardeners have killed themselves
by ingesting what they thought was horse-
radish, but was really monkshood or wolfs-
bane.
Effect: Drain/Ability Score 9; Extras: All
Physical Attributes (Strength &
Constitution), Secondary Effect, Slow
Recovery x3 (1/day); Flaw: Restricted-
Poison; Partial Flaw: Dilute 6 (DC is 13);
Cost: 6/5pp; Total: 49pp.
Design Note
For poisons with the Fatigue power, I
prefer using the following alternate rule,
first presented in The Algernon Files (by
Blackwyrm Games). Rather than the
Fatigue power taking three failed Fortitude
saves to put a target to sleep, the effect
varies based on the level of failure, similar
45
to how a Damage save works. If the target
fails the save by 1 to 4, they take 1 Stun
hit. If the target fails the save by 5 to 9,
they become Fatigued (cannot run or
charge, -2 penalty to Strength and
Dexterity). If the target fails the save by
10 to 14, they become Exhausted (move at
half normal speed, -6 penalty to Strength
and Dexterity). If the target fails the
save by 15 or more, they fall asleep
(knocked out and helpless).
Further Development
To increase the lethality of a Poison,
the GM could declare that if any ability
score -- not just Constitution -- is drained
to 0, death results. In the cases of
Strength drain, death comes from the
inability of the heart and diaphragm (both
muscles) to function properly. In the cases
of Dexterity drain, death is caused either
by a creping paralysis that reaches the
lungs and heart, or a complete shutdown of
the central nervous system. Alternatively,
a GM could rule that once any ability score
is drained to 0, any further drains to that
same attribute instead drain Constitution.
Any of these could have the Device
flaw added on, to represent a discrete
packet of a bacterial, viral or toxic agent,
as a suspension in a syringe, in the form of
an aerosol spray, tainted fruit or meat, or a
poison-coated blade.
A superhuman character who can
generate a disease-causing or toxic agent
and then fling them at victims, or who could
transmogrify some of a person's own
healthy cells into diseased ones or their
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

bodily fluids into some toxic substance,

could have one of the above powers with
the Ranged extra.

Nanites -- mechanical or electro-

mechanical devices whose dimensions are
measured in millionths of a millimeter --
could be programmed to mimic the effects
of one of the above diseases or toxins. In
this case, the Restricted-Disease or
Restricted-Poison flaw would not apply, as it
is not truly a chemical compound/reaction
that is causing the effects.

The Joker, Joker Venom, Justice Society

of America, Kobra Cult, and the Sandman
are all TM & © DC Comics.

"Dust of Death," Hank "Beast" McCoy,

HYDRA, Infectia, the Legacy Virus, Illyana
"Magik" Rasputin, Moira MacTaggert,
Mystique, St. John "Pyro" Allerdyce, Red
Skull, and Stryfe are all TM & © Marvel
Entertainment Group, Incorporated.

Dr Archeville

howelljb@rocketmail.com

46
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
From beyond any known galaxy, bringing
with them the laws and ideals of their
doomed planet of Thundara, come the
Thundercats!
Jaga, the Wise; Tygra, the Invisible;
Cheetara, the Quick; Willy Kat and Willy
Kit, the Cunning Junior Duo; Panthro, the
Deadly; and the Snarf; The Thundercats, all
sworn to serve their young lord, Lion-O, and
to instruct him in the secrets of the Eye of
Thundara. The Eye embedded in the hilt of
the mystic Sword of Omens, and the source
47
of the Thundercats' power.
Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats, HOOOO!
Perusing the Thundercats to Third Earth,
and determined to possess the Eye of
Thundara for their own evil purposes are
the hideous mutants of the planet,
Plundarr. Lead by the reptilian Sly, they
form an unholy alliance with the ancient
devil-priest of Third Earth, Mumm-Ra.
- Intro to The Thundercats premiere
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
This article is in part an episode guide, by
it’s very nature, it contains spoilers.
Exodus
The Thundercats flee
Thundara on a leading
Royal Flagship sur-
rounded by transport
ships carrying what's
assumed to be thou-
sands, if not millions of other Thundercats
also fleeing the doomed planet. Jaga pulls
Lion-O aside and explains to him that he is
the Lord of the Thundercats and he takes
in his heart the courage, honor and right-
eousness of the Code of Thundara to their
next home. He proceeds to show Lion-O
the Sword of Thundara, which is too heavy
for Lion-o to even wield and explains to him
the Eye of Thundara and that it holds with-
in it the power of the Thundercats. During
this pseudo-ceremony the ship gets
attacked by the Mutants of the planet
Plundarr and all Thundercats scatter to
their stations.
It is interesting to
note that almost all
of the Thundercats
man some sort of
station in the com-
mand room, even
the kittens. Lion-O and Snarf seem to be
the only ones with no training. Snarf
because he's a sort of "nursemaid" and
Lion-O, presumably because he's still young,
which doesn't exactly explain why Willy Kit
and Kat are "older" but in some odd way,
they talk and act as if they are. They
watch as the surrounding transport ships
get destroyed one by one, killing all other
Thundarians. Their ship gets grappled with
a form on energy grappling ray and their
hull gets breached with a hand held weapon,
and the action begins.
During the attack we
get to see Panthro shat-
ter a spiked mace with
his right hand-while
smiling, which is even
more intimidating, giving
the confident remark,
"If you guys were as mean as you are ugly-
then maybe you'd be trouble." We get the
first sense of Cheetara's speed, which is
clearly above average normal running speeds
as she passes Tygra with a, "Right ahead of
you" comment as she zips by opposed to
"Right behind you," that is usually expected.
Tygra also demonstrates a special ability to
disappear into thin air with a phrase that
still stands out in my mind, "Now you don't
see me… now you do," appearing all of a sud-
den and grounding the pair of Jackelmen.
Finally, Willy Kit and Willy Kat best a group
of Mutants with their assortment of pel-
lets.
Back in the room
holding the Sword of
Omens, Lion-O and
Snarf are confronted
by Slythe and
Jackelman. Snarf
acts brave and gets himself tangled after
on shot out of Jackalman's net-gun and
Lion-O is left to defend himself. When
confronted with danger the Sword of
Omens comes to life in the little cub's
hands and basically scares the two Mutants
so senseless that they call a retreat to ship
48
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
that causes all Mutants to clear the flag-
ship.
The damages to the hull
of the Royal Flagship get
repaired but damages are
major and all Thundercats
need to make the rest of
the voyage in Time Suspension Capsules
that slow the aging process down to almost
nothing. The course is set for a planet
called Third Earth and Jaga must stay
behind to pilot the ship as long as possible
before switching to Robot Pilot.
Jaga dies during the
journey and the ship
makes it to the planet
but suffers a crash
landing scattering the
Time Suspension
Capsules and destroying the flag ship.
Snarf's Capsule opens first and he quickly
rushes over to Lion-O's Time Suspension
Capsule and releases him first. Lion-O step
out as a full grown man, possibly due to a
flawed Capsule (let's all just assume that's
why Willy Kit and Kat are still small).
The Mutants followed
the Royal Flagship to
the planet and get tele-
ported to the surface
to search for the Sword
of Omens. A skirmish
begins and eventually Lion-O uses the
Sword of Omens to awaken the other
Thundercats who quickly join the fray. In
no time at all they send the Mutants
retreating back to their ship. With that,
the Thundercats are left on a strange plan-
et, starting with nothing, and this is when
49
their adventures begin.
Cats Eye View of the Episode
Heroes:
Jaga, The Wise - The oldest of the
Thundercats and the wisest of them.
Lion-O, Lord of the Thundercats - As a
cub, then as a full grown man.
Panthro, the Deadly - The main pilot of
the ship and a fierce hand to hand combat-
ant.
Tygra, the Invisible - Makes use of his
invisibility tactics and bola whip.
Cheetara, the Quick - Super fast and
expert with the bow staff.
Willy Kit and Willy Kat, the Cunning
Junior Duo - They seem to be inseparable
and fight as one in combat.
Snarf - Lion-O's caretaker and protector,
grumbles a lot, but means well.
Jaga is given no
stats in this
first guide. He
appears when
needed and
should be used
as a game
mechanic to
move the story along. Later on he will take
a more prominent place in the appendix
most likely. You can find all the
Thundercat's statistics at the end of this
article.
Villains:
Slythe - A Reptilian that seems to take
the leadership role in the Mutant group.
Monkian - A Monkian that doesn't really
stand out as much so far.
Jackalman - A Jackelman that, like
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

Monkian, can't think of a better name for Total 30 pp.

himself.
Monkians -
You can find the statistics for The Mutants Humanoids that
at the end of this article. have apish quali-
ties. They are
Mooks: usually found
Reptilians - wearing no more
Humanoids that then fur breeches
have reptilian quali- to allow freedom
ties. Being reptiles, of movement
it is assumed they through trees. They fight with an assort-
are all amphibious ment of weapons but usually prefer axes.
although there has-
n't been an indica- Monkians: PL2; Init +3 (Dex); Defense 14
tion of such quali- (11 flat-footed); Spd. 30ft; Atk +5 Melee
ties thus far. They (+5S or L, Weapon); SV Dmg +2, Fort +2,
wear ragged breach Ref +3, Will -1; Str 16, Dex 16, Con 14, Int
cloths, and toga-like 8, Wis 8, Cha 8
clothing. They wield an assortment of Skills: Balance +3, Climb +3, Jumping +3
melee weapons in battle, many preferring Feats: Talented (Climb and Balance)
the pike of spear though. Powers:
Swinging +2 [Source: Alien; Cost: 1 pp;
Reptilians: PL2; Init +1 (Dex); Defense 12 Total: 2 pp]
(11 flat-footed); Spd. 30ft; Atk +4 Melee Equipment:
(+4S or L, Weapon; +4S, Tail); SV Dmg +2 Weapon (Club) +2: Effect: Strike; Cost: 1
(Protection +2), Fort +2, Ref +1, Will -1; Str pp; Total: 2 pp
14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 8
Skills: Bluff +3, Listen +2, Sense Motive +2, Totals: BAB 3 + BDB 2 + Abilities 10 +
Spot +2 Skills 9 + Feats 2 + Powers 2 + Equipment 2
Feats: Amphibious = Total 30 pp.
Powers:
Protection +2 [Source: Alien; Cost: 2pp; Jackalmen -
Total: 2 pp] Humanoids that have
Natural Weapon (Tail) +2 [Source: Alien; jackal qualities. Mildly
Cost: 2pp; Total: 4 pp] cowardly but usually
Equipment: determined beyond
Weapon (Axe) +2: Effect: Strike; Cost: 1pp; safe reasoning, jackel-
Total: 2 pp men usually wear very
little protective cloth-
Totals: BAB 3 + BDB 2 + Abilities 6 + Skills ing, preferring breach
9 + Feats 2 + Powers 6 + Equipment 2 = cloth rags. Many fight

50
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

with clubs and spears, but are known to Vehicles:

wield any type of melee weapon. Royal Flagship
Colossal
Jacklemen: PL2; Init +2 (Dex); Defense 12 Movement: 12
(11 flat-footed); Spd. 30ft; Atk +3 Melee Hardness: 20
(+4S or L, Weapon); SV Dmg +2, Fort +2, Armor Bonus: 20
Ref +2, Will +0; Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int Cost: 50
8, Wis 10, Cha 10 Features: Gun +16, Space Flight,
Skills: Listen +2, Move Silently +1, Spot +2 Robopilot
Feats: Scent
Powers: Transport Ships
Super-Sense (Smell) +2 [Source: Alien; Gargantuan
Cost: 1 pp; Total: 2 pp] Movement: 10
Equipment: Hardness: 15
Weapon (Melee) +2: Effect: Strike; Cost: Armor Bonus: 15
1pp; Total: 2 pp Cost: 40
Features: Gun +14, Space Flight
Totals: BAB 3 + BDB 2 + Abilities 14 +
Skills 5 + Feats 2 + Powers 2 + Equipment 2 Transport Ships -During Evacuation
= Total 30 pp. Gargantuan
Movement: 10
Technology and Weapons: Hardness: 10
Hull Breacher Armor Bonus: 10
Rifle - This Cost: 21
weapon was used Features: Space Flight
to break through
the Royal Flag Mutant Destroyers
Ship's hull. For Medium
lack of a better Movement: 15
name, we'll go with Hardness: 12
a blunt obvious one. Armor Bonus: 10
[Effects: Disintegration +13; Flaws: Device; Cost: 41
Cost: 1 pp; Total: 13 pp] Features: Gun +15, Space Flight

Net-Rifle - This is Mutant War Ship

the weapon Colossal
Jackelman uses to Movement: 12
snare Snarf. Hardness: 20
[Effects: Snare +5; Armor Bonus: 20
Flaws: Device; Cost: Cost: 59
1 pp; Total: 5 pp] Features: Gun +16, Teleportation
+10 (passengers on and

51
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

off ship only), Space of an ancient civilization in the desert. Off

Flight in the distance is another structure, a pyra-
mid that seems active and deeply uninviting.
Of course the Mutants decide to get a bet-
ter look.

The Pyramid effective-

ly cripples their ship's
technology and forces
Sword of Omens Effects: it to crash. Coming out
Variable Effects Examples of the mangled ship the
Fear - Sends the Mutants fleeing and call- Mutants begin to
ing a retreat approach the Pyramid to show their anger
to whoever had the nerve to bring them
Main Power's First down. Mumm-Ra creates a portal in the
Appearance Pyramid walls and invites them in as
Thundercat Call - Sends "guests". The Mutants follow a Ball of
a signal that can be Light which guides them into a deeper
sensed by the other Inner Chamber. Stopping inform of a large
Thundercats cauldron of bubbling liquid, the sarcophagus
of Mumm-Ra opens and the trio are intro-
duced to Mumm-Ra, the decayed form.

The Unholy Alliance Mumm-Ra explains that

he has known of the Eye
The Thundercats begin of Thundara for one
to unload the Royal Flag thousand years when
ship of whatever surviv- the Third Earth was
ing food and supplies still First Earth, and
they can gather. Lion-O knows of its power. An alliance is formed
goes off to patrol the after Mumm-Ra sinks the Mutants' ship,
land to make sure it's also stranding them on Third Earth. All
safe, possibly avoiding want the power of the Eye of Thundara,
the hard labor of unloading the ship. and all regrettably need to work together
to seize it.
The Mutants also
explore Third Earth While Lion-O is off
in search of any civ- wandering he sees a
ilization and find group of deer and
none (so far). It eagerly rushes in to do
seems as if all they some hunting. The
can spot are ruins Sword of Omens flies

52
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
out of his hands and digs deep into the
earth. No effort will release it and Jaga
appears before Lion-O telling him that the
Sword of Omens can never be used for evil
purposes or to end the life force of anoth-
er needlessly. The sword detects danger
and Lion-O sees the Mutants standing right
in front of him and the Mutants get their
chance to make a grab for the Sword.
Lion-O holds them off for a while and even-
tually uses the sword to call the
Thundercats who come to quickly wrap up
the fight.
Observing their
failure, Mumm-Ra
is urged by the
mutants to try and
get the sword
himself if he's so
powerful. At this
point he calls on the Ancient Forces of Evil
and transforms himself into Mumm-Ra, the
Ever-Living and flies out of his Pyramid
after the Sword of Omens.
Lion-O, alone again,
faces Mumm-Ra.
It is his first
major fight and it
doesn't go very
well for him. The
Sword's Eye gets
covered by ooze and can't function proper-
ly. Lion-O manages to get himself out of a
really bad predicament by shielding his face
while Mumm-Ra is above him ready to finish
him off. Lion-O's Claw Gauntlet reflects
Mumm-Ra's image and effectively brings
the fight to a screeching halt, sending
Mumm-Ra back to his Pyramid to regener-
ate his lost strength.
53
Cats Eye View of the Episode
Villains:
Mumm-Ra, the Ever-Living - His main
form is a decayed form, more magical then
physical, upon transforming into The Ever-
Living, he still maintains some magic but
seems to take on a more physical demeanor.
His stats can be found at the end of this
article.
Technology and Weapons:
The Cauldron - This
device acts as a form of
"crystal ball" at Mumm-
Ra's command as is
included in his headquar-
ters, The Pyramid.
Headquarters:
The Pyramid - This building seems to be
filled with an unending mystical energy
source capable of defending itself and pos-
sibly even augmenting Mumm-Ra's magical
arsenal as well. Major rule: Don't fight
Mumm-Ra in his Pyramid! Actually, that's a
rule in general. Never fight a villain in
their own Headquarters; it's the act of an
unstoppable courageous hero, or a very
naïve one demanding to die quickly. Some
examples of the Pyramid's features so far
are:
Neutralize (Technology)
Defense
System
Isolated
Location
Reinforced
Structure
Security
Systems
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

Sarcophagus +10 [Effect: Regeneration; delightful and they all start to become
Extras: Reincarnate (Extras: Never Say chums.
Die); Flaws: Device; Cost: 5 pp; Total: 100
pp] Mumm-Ra, unhappy
Cauldron +10 [Effect: ESP; Flaws: Sight about this new alliance
Only, Device; Cost: 1 pp; Total: 10 pp] puts into action a plan to
destroy the Berbil vil-
Sword of Omens Effects: lage. A giant swarm
Weaknesses approaches the village and transforms into
Can't be used when Eye of Omens is cov- a giant flying grasshopper type insect.
ered Lion-O leaps onto it and tries to steer it
Can't be used for evil or to destroy life away from the village. To his misfortune
forces wantonly the giant bug took him for a ride over a vol-
cano and dispersed into a swarm again right
Main Power's First over it.
Appearance
Sense Danger - Now falling to a death
The Eye of Omens by molten lava scenario,
fares when it Jaga appears to him
detects danger again and reminds him
Sight Beyond Sight that he commands the
- Allows the wielder to view the source of Sword of Omens. Lion-
the danger O narrowly escapes as the Sword flies into
his hands and flies him out of his deathly
predicament.
The Berbils
During this time
While wandering Panthro finishes put-
about, taking in ting together the
their new world Thunder Tank from
and home, Lion-O salvaged parts from
and Snarf end up the crashed Royal
getting captured Flagship. A strange rock storm starts rain-
by a race of robot bears. At first, assumed ing on the Thundercats and they all take
to be hostile, the robot bears take their cover. Panthro jumps in the Thunder Tank
prisoners back to their village and actually and a wave of dirt buries the Thunder Tank
turn out to me very friendly and docile. and the Flagship. The Thunder Tank
Once released the robot bear leader intro- unburies itself and they manages to lift the
duces himself as Ro-Bear Berbil, and Flagship enough for it the other
describes their race as Ro-Bear Berbils. A Thundercats to get back out. This storm
"female" Ro-Bear Berbil comes out of a hut was brought down on them by Mumm-Ra.
and offers them Berbil Fruit which is quite

54
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

By the end of the Protection +2 [Source: Alien; Cost: 2 pp;

episode Lion-O brings Total: 4 pp]
back the Ro-Bear Weaknesses:
Berbils to the spot Naïve
where the other
Thundercats are talking Totals: BAB 0 + BDB 0 + Abilities 20 +
about their plans for the Cat's Lair. The Skills 9 + Feats 10 + Powers 16 -
Berbils offer to help as a show of gratitude Weaknesses 10 = Total 45 pp.
for defending their village, and an alliance
for good is forged. Ro-Bear Belle -
The "Smurfette" of
Cats Eye View of the Episode the bunch, distin-
guished by her pink
Heroes: fur patches. In one
Ro-Bear Bill - scene there seem to
The chief of the actually be a bunch
Ro-Bear Berbils, of them as well… all
distinguished by with dishes of
his different color Berbil-fruit. A lib-
fur patches which erty has been taken to suggest the Berbil
is a darker brown Fruit can be treated to provide Healing
then the rest of properties (for interest sake).
the Berbils. Good
natured and Ro-Bear Belle: PL2; Init +1 (Dex, size);
humorous, he offers a diplomatic relation- Defense 11 (11 flat-footed); Spd. 30ft; Atk
ship with the Thundercats and agrees to +2 Melee (+1S, Unarmed); SV Dmg +0
offer the Berbil population as a resource (Protection +2), Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +2;
for building the Cat's Lair. Str 12, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha
16
Ro-Bear Bill: PL3; Init +1 (Dex, size); Skills: Cooking +5, Diplomacy +4
Defense 11 (11 flat-footed); Spd. 30ft; Atk Feats: Immunities (Aging, Disease,
+2 Melee (+1S, Unarmed); SV Dmg +0 Exhaustion, Poison, Suffocation)
(Protection +2), Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +4; Powers:
Str 12, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha Healing +2 [Flaws: Berbil Fruit; Cost: 2 pp;
16 Total: 4 pp]
Skills: Craft (Building) +4, Diplomacy +5 Shrinking +3 [Extras: Continuous, Innate;
Feats: Immunities (Aging, Disease, Flaws: Permanent; Cost: 4 pp; Total: 12 pp]
Exhaustion, Poison, Suffocation), Protection +2 [Source: Alien; Cost: 2 pp;
Leadership Total: 4 pp]
Powers: Weaknesses:
Shrinking +3 [Extras: Continuous, Innate; Naïve
Flaws: Permanent; Cost: 4 pp; Total: 12 pp]

55
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

Totals: BAB 0 + BDB 0 + Abilities 16 + Vehicles:

Skills 8 + Feats 10 + Powers 20 -
Weaknesses 10 = Total 45 pp.
Mooks:
Ro-Bear Berbils
- A race of robot
bears, good
natured and tech-
no-savvy enough
to speed up the
construction of
the Cat's Lair. The males seem to have a
natural knack for building while the females
seem quite proficient in the delicacies of
Berbil Fruit, Candy Fruit and other exotic
dishes. While they are robots, they are
sentient enough and seem to require food
so are treated like normal characters
opposed to constructs.
Ro-Bear Berbils: PL2; Init +1 (Dex, size);
Defense 11 (11 flat-footed); Spd. 30ft; Atk
+2 Melee (+1S, Unarmed); SV Dmg +0
(Protection +2), Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +2;
Str 12, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha
12
Skills: Craft (Building) +4 or Cooking +4
Feats: Immunities (Aging, Disease,
Exhaustion, Poison, Suffocation)
Powers:
Shrinking +3 [Extras: Continuous, Innate;
Flaws: Permanent; Cost: 4 pp; Total: 12 pp]
Protection +2 [Source: Alien; Cost: 2 pp;
Total: 4 pp]
Weaknesses:
Naïve
Totals: BAB 0 + BDB 0 + Abilities 10 +
Skills 4 + Feats 10 + Powers 16 -
Weaknesses 10 = Total 30 pp.
The Thunder Tank
Huge
Movement: 6
Hardness: 15
Armor Bonus: 15
Cost: 50
Features: Burrow +9, Gun +10,
Lifting +10 (Telekinesis)
The Thunder Tank demonstrated new abili-
ties later on. The Tank statistics with
develop and evolve based on the new powers
that begin to get used more often. The
assumption is that these new features are
being added to the Thunder Tank as time
goes. The Telekinesis powers is used as a
game mechanic to represent the lifting
potential of the Tank's arms.
Sword of Omens Effects:
Veritable Effects Examples
Flight - Allows the wielder to
fly
Slaves of Castle Plundarr
This Thunderkittens
are off in the woods
chasing each other
through the tree tops
when they over here
the Mutants passing
by. They aren't alone; they are command-
ing a race of humanoids called Brute Man to
carry supplies for a future fortress of
their own. In an attempt to sneak away qui-
etly they blunder and alert Monkian. What
follows is a chase scene through the trees
against a villain that moves just as easily
through them, if not better, then the

56
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Thunderkittens. Eventually Willy Kit and
Willy Kat used some cunning and manage to
put their varied capsules to use.
They make it back to
the Cat's Lair and alert
the rest of the
Thundercats. They
buckle up in the new Thunder Tank and take
it for a trial run. On the other side of the
fence, Slythe hears of Monkians encounter
and quickly plans for the Brute Men to be
put into use in constructing a barricade.
When the Thunder Tank arrives it easily
breaks down the outer perimeter with its
claws, and chomps through the debris. The
mounted canon takes care of the thick
stone wall and soon enough the Thundercats
are in.
Lion-O splits off, sneak-
ing his way through the
front entrance of Castle
Plundarr and finds the
dungeon area holding the
Brute Men. He breaks
through the lock and frees the prisoners.
In the meanwhile a fight commences out-
side with the rest of the Thundercats and
the three Mutants. Cheetara takes on
Jackelman and we get to see that her bow
staff actually increases in length allowing
her to leap greater distance. Tygra out-
smarts Monkian in a field of waist high
grass, hard to spot, and hard to hit. This is
the first appearance of Monkians special
shield that shoots projectiles out of its
face. Finally Panthro takes on Slythe, first
defeating him with nun-chaku versus pole
arm ax, then making him retreat after a
quick hand to hand demonstration of superi-
ority.
57
Slythe makes it back
to Castle Plundarr in
time to notice Lion-O
has freed the Brute
Men. Taking advan-
tage of the situation
Slythe uses a grenade like device that
released a substance called Warp Gas which
alters a beings innate emotions by making
them feel the opposite way. Throwing one
of these devices into the dungeon area with
Lion-O and the Brute Men cause the Brute
Men to take Lion-O down rapidly en masse.
Panthro comes in
looking for Slythe
and he is confront-
ed by the forcible
Brute Men. Not
wanting to attack
forces him to get pummeled and eventually
retreat out of the Castle. Lion-O comes to
and, being clear of the Warp Gas effects,
rushes to Panthro's aid. The first dose of
Warp Gas wears off and Slythe launches
another one. Tygra at this point points out
that Warp Gas was banned by the
Interstellar Council. Lion-O uses the
Sword of Omens to create a force field to
prevent the toxins from coming near him,
and then the force field actually reverses
the direction of the fumes, sending them
back towards the Mutants.
Getting backed up
into a wall by
approaching Brute
Men, the cloud of
Warp Gas gets
into their system
and forces them to retreat into Castle
Plundarr, blocking the entrance from fur-
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

ther chase. The Brute Men turn their Technology and Weapons:
attention back to Lion-O and he stands Warp Gas Grenades - Banned by the
firm, refusing to run, standing courageously Interstellar Council, this gas reverses the
and valiantly against the mass of brutes. innate nature of a being who inhales the
The Warp Gas wears off and they go gentle fumes.
again. Lion-O tells them they are free and [Effect: Mind Control;
they wander off happy with mumblings of Extras: Area; Flaws:
joy. Duration (Continuous);
Flaws: Range
Cats Eye View of the Episode (Normal), Obvious (cloud of
smoke), Limited - Emotion
Mooks: Control (opposite strong
Brute Men - a normally emotion); Source: Super-Science; Cost: 1
slow willed humanoid pp]
with brute strength and
capable of intensive Headquarters:
labor Cat's Lair - The lair of the Thundercats.
Below is a PL10 example of the features
Brute Men: PL2; Init +1 (Dex); Defense 13 assumed present at this point:
(12 flat-footed); Spd. 30ft; Atk +5 Melee
(+6S, Club); SV Dmg +7 (Protection +2), Communication
Fort +8, Ref +1, Will -1; Str 20, Dex 12, Con Computer
20, Int 8, Wis 8, Cha 8 Defense System
Feats: Endurance, Great Fortitude, Garage
Toughness, Immunities (Exhaustion) Gym
Powers: Infirmary
Amazing Save (Fortitude) +1 [Source: Alien; Laboratory
Cost: 1 pp; Total: 1 pp] Living Space
Protection +2 [Source: Alien; Cost: 2 pp; Power System
Total: 4 pp] Workshop
Swinging +2 [Source: Alien; Cost: 1 pp;
Total: 2 pp] Castle Plundarr - The lair of the Mutants
Equipment: of Plundarr. Below is a PL6 example of the
Weapon (Club) +2: Effect: Strike; Cost: 1 features assumed present at this point:
pp; Total: 2 pp
Weaknesses: Communication
Dim Witted Computer
Hanger
Totals: BAB 3 + BDB 4 + Abilities 16 + Holding Cells
Skills 0 + Feats 8 + Powers 7 + Equipment 2 Living Space
- Weaknesses 10 = Total 30 pp. Power System

58
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

New Thunder Tank Abilities: Skills: Acrobatics +6, Listen +4, Climb +4,
Mounted Cannon - Strong enough to blast Diplomacy +8, Gather Information +5, Hide
through a ten foot stone wall +2, Jump +3, Survival +3
Jaws - Break through debris effectively Feats: Attractive, Dodge, Fame, Heroic
clearing the path Surge, Leadership
Claws - extend out about 10 to 15 extra Powers:
feet and apply enough pressure to break 5 Amazing Save (Fortitude) +5 [Source: Alien;
foot thick reinforced log barricade Cost: 1pp; Total: 5pp]
Leaping +2 [Source: Alien; Cost: 1 pp; Total:
New Statistics: 2 pp]
Huge Sword of Omens +6 [Effect: Weapon;
Movement: 6 Power Stunts: Dual Damage; Source:
Hardness: 15 Mystical; Cost: 1pp; Total: 8 pp]
Armor Bonus: 15 - Sight Beyond Sight [Effect: ESP; Flaw:
Cost: 60 Limited (Sight); Power Stunt: Detect
Features: Burrow +9, Gun +10, (Danger); Total: 8 pp]
Lifting +10 (Telekinesis), - Thundercat Call [Effect: Mind Control
Strike +10 (Flaws: Limited - Only used to call
Thundercats, Limited - Thundercat signal
The Strike power is meant to represent must be seen for Thundercats to be called);
both the attacks possible with the claw Extras: Boost (Extras: Area, Affect
arms, or attacks from the bite. Others, All Attributes; Flaws: Limited: Only
works on Thundercats), Limited: Will not
Sword of Omens Abilities: work if Eye of Thundara is covered; Cost: 2
Veritable Power Example pp; Total: 12 pp]
Force Field - Causes vapors - Veritable Effects (Gadgets) [Cost: 1 pp;
to stop approaching, and then Total: 6 pp]
blows them in the opposite The Claw Gauntlet +6 [Effects: Deflection
direction. (Extra: Reflection), Strike (Claws); Source:
Technology; Cost: 3 pp; Total: 18 pp]
Roll Call - The Thundercats Weaknesses: Naïve; Lion-O is a grown man
but has missed the important lessons of
Quote: I am Lord of life's experiences growing up due to his
the Thunercats, I will rapid grown within the Time Capsule.
not run!
Lion-O: PL10; Init +3 Sword of Omens Notes of Use:
(Dex); Defense 18 (14 - Can't be used to destroy life wanton-
flat-footed); Spd. ly. This is not taken into consideration into
30ft; Atk +7 Melee the cost as any hero should be using their
(+9L/S, Sword of Thundara); SV Dmg +3, powers for good anyways… well, in most
Fort +8, Ref +3, Will +1; Str 16, Dex 16, Con cases. In this case in particular, I did not
16, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 20. feel it constituted an extra Flaw.

59
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
- Veritable Power Used: Flight, Fear,
Force Field
Totals: BAB 12 + BDB 8 + Abilities 30 +
Skills 35 + Feats 8 + Powers 59 +
Weaknesses 10 = Total 150 pp.
Quote: If you guys were
as mean as you are ugly-
then maybe you'd be
trouble.
Panthro: PL12; Init +1
(Dex); Defense 13 (12
flat-footed); Spd. 30ft;
Atk +10 Melee (+10S,
Nun-Chaku), +11 Unarmed
(+10S/L, Strike); SV
Dmg +10, Fort +5, Ref +1, Will +2; Str 20,
Dex 12, Con 20, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 12.
Skills: Acrobatics +6, Computers +4, Craft
(Mechanical) +10, Craft (Electronics) +10,
Drive +10, Intimidate +5, Jumping +5, Pilot
+5, Repair +10
Feats: Power Attack, Talented (Craft
Mechanical and Electronic), Attack Focus
(unarmed)
Powers:
Strike +5 [Extras: Deflection; Power
Stunts: Dual Damage; Source: Training;
Cost: 3 pp; Total: 17 pp]
Amazing Save (Damage) +5 [Source: Alien;
Cost: 1 pp; Total: 5 pp]
Super-Strength +3 [Source: Alien; Cost: 4
pp; Total: 12 pp]
Equipment:
Nun-Chaku +6: Effects: Strike; Power
Stunt: Rapid Strike; Cost: 1 pp; Total: 7 pp.
Notes: Panthro normally drives the Thunder
Tank, but the vehicle cost has not been
included into his write up as it is considered
a team vehicle.
Totals: BAB 15 + BDB 4 + Abilities 32 +
Skills 65 + Feats 6 + Powers 61 + Equipment
7 = Total 190 pp.
Quote: Right ahead of
you
Cheetara: PL7; Init +15
(Dex, Improved
Initiative, Super-Speed);
Defense 27 (19 flat-foot-
ed); Spd. 60ft; Atk +6
Melee (+4S, Staff); SV
Dmg +0, Fort +0, Ref +11,
Will +2; Str 12, Dex 20, Con 10, Int 14, Wis
14, Cha 16
Skills: Acrobatics +5, Jumping +5
Feats: Attack Focus (armed), Dodge,
Evasion, Improved Initiative, Move-By
Attack
Powers:
Super-Speed +6 [Flaws: No Routine Tasks
Benefits; Source: Alien; Cost: 5pp; Total:
30 pp]
Combat Sense +4 [Source: Training; Cost: 1
pp; Total: 4 pp]
Equipment:
Bo-Staff +4: Effects: Strike (Extras: Area
[Flaws: Limited: When Super-Running]);
Power Stunt: Leaping: One Passenger,
Improved Disarm; Source: Mystical; Cost: 1
pp; Total: 8 pp.
Notes: Although at this power Cheetara
seems under powered she does gain new
powers later on which boost her PL at par
with the rest.
Totals: BAB 9 + BDB 8 + Abilities 26 +
Skills 10 + Feats 10 + Powers 34 +
Equipment 8 = Total 105 pp.
60
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

Quote: Now you don't see 30ft; Atk +7 Ranged (+5S, but also varied
me… now you do! effects, see below); SV Dmg +0, Fort +0,
Tigra: PL9; Init +5 (Dex); Ref +10, Will +0; Str 8, Dex 20, Con 10, Int
Defense 18 (14 flat-foot- 12, Wis 10, Cha 12
ed); Spd. 30ft; Atk +7 Skills: Acrobatics +6, Balance +3, Bluff +5,
Melee (+5S, Bola-Whip); Climb +5, Craft (Pellets) +5, Gather
SV Dmg +2, Fort +2, Ref Information +2, Hide +5, Jump +4, Listen
+4, Will +8; Str 14, Dex +5, Move Silently +5, Taunt +2
18, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 16, Feats: Dodge, Point Blank Shot, Evasion,
Cha 16 Improved Initiative
Skills: Acrobatics +8, Diplomacy +4, Hide Powers:
+6, Jumping +5, Move Silently +6, Amazing Save (Reflex) +5 [Source: Alien;
Profession (Architect) +10, Taunt +4 Cost: 1pp; Total: 5pp]
Feats: Evasion, Surprise Strike, Talented Shrinking +3 [Extras: Continuous, Innate;
(Hide and Move Silently), Attack Finesse, Flaws: Permanent; Cost: 4 pp; Total: 12 pp]
Attack Focus (armed) Swinging +3 [Source: Alien; Cost: 1pp; Total:
Powers: 3pp]
Super-Skill (Hide) +5 [Source: Alien; Cost: Equipment:
1pp; Total: 5pp] Flash Pellets +2: Effect: Dazzle (Sight);
Amazing Save (Will) +5 [Source: Alien; Extra: Dazzle Burst; Source: Super-
Cost: 1pp; Total: 5pp] Science; Cost: 2 pp; Total: 4 pp
Equipment: Smoke Pellets +3: Effect: Obscure (Sight);
Bolo-Whip +4: Effects: Strike (Power Extras: Duration (Continuous); Source:
Stunt: Extra Reach (x3)); Extras: Super-Science; Cost: 2 pp; Total: 6 pp
Invisibility, Deflection, Snare; Power Stunt: Oil Pellets +2: Effects: Slick; Duration
Improved Disarm; Source: Mystical; Cost: (Continuous); Source: Super-Science; Cost:
3pp; Total: 19pp. 2 pp; Total: 4 pp
Shocking Pellets +4: Effect: Energy Blast
Totals: BAB 9 + BDB 8 + Abilities 36 + (Electricity); Extras: Area; Cost: 2pp;
Skills 43 + Feats 10 + Powers 10 + Total: 8 pp
Equipment 19 = Total 135 pp.
Notes: This early on, both the twins seem
Quote: Wily Kat: to be capable of roughly the same thing;
What's the big deal later on Kit picks up a Spinning power that
being big anyways? Stuns enemies. Also, they later on begin
Wily Kit: If you're using hover boards quite often. Kit and Kat
wily enough, being have used other types of Pellets, so feel
big just gets in the free to swap some of the examples for
way. other powers such as Stun, Suffocate or
Willy Kit and Kat: Slow.
PL8; Init +10 (Dex, Improved Initiative,
size); Defense 21 (15 flat-footed); Spd. Totals: BAB 4 + BDB 8 + Abilities 12 +

61
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
Skills 50 + Feats 8 + Powers 20 + Equipment
18 = Total 120 pp.
Quote: I knew I wasn't
going to like this, snarf
snarf!
Snarf: PL4; Init +4 (Dex,
size); Defense 17 (13 flat-
footed); Spd. 20ft; Atk -1
Melee (-1S, Claws/Teeth);
SV Dmg -1, Fort -1, Ref
+3, Will +2; Str 6, Dex 16,
Con 8, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 12
Skills: Balance +5, Climb +6, Knowledge
(Culture) +5, Listen +6, Move Silently +6,
Sense Motives +6, Spot +5
Feats: Dodge, Evasion, Extra Limb (Tail)
Powers:
Natural Weapon (Claws/Teeth) +1 [Source:
Alien; Cost: 2 pp; Total: 2 pp]
Shrinking +3 [Flaw: Permanent; Source:
Alien; Cost: 1 pp; Total: 3 pp]
Totals: BAB 0 + BDB 4 + Abilities 6 + Skills
39 + Feats 6 + Powers 5 = Total 60 pp.
Roll Call - Mumm-Ra and The Mutants
Quote: Ancient
Spirits of Evil,
transform the
decayed form to
Mumm-Ra the
Ever-Living
Mumm-Ra, the
Ever-Living:
PL19; Init +2 (Dex); Defense 16 (14 flat-
footed); Spd. 30ft; Atk +11 Melee (+8S,
Claws), +8 Ranged (+10L, Energy Blast); SV
Dmg +15, Fort +15, Ref +4, Will +17; Str 20,
Dex 14, Con 20, Int 20, Wis 20, Cha 20
Skills: Bluff +4, Concentration +8,
Diplomacy +6, Intimidate +9
Feats: Move-By Attack, Infamy, Startle,
Takedown Attack, Toughness, Lightning
Reflexes, Iron Will, Great Fortitude,
Durability, Identity Change (Weaker
Version), Headquarters, Rapid Shot
Powers: Amazing Save (Damage) +8
[Extras: Fortitude, Immunities (aging, criti-
cal hits, disease, exhaustion, poison, starva-
tion, suffocation, cold); Source: Alien; Cost:
3 pp; Total: 24 pp]
Amazing Save (Will) +10 [Source: Alien;
Cost: 1 pp; Total: 10 pp]
Sorcery +10 [Flaws: Excluded Group
(Defensive, Divination); Source: Mystical;
Cost:10 pp; Total: 102 pp]
Mind Control
Energy Blast (Fire) [Power Stunt:
Electricity Blast; Cost: +2 pp]
Illusion [Extras: Area, Selective; Cost: +2
pp/level]
Shapeshift [Extras: Shrinking; Cost: +1
pp/level]
Teleportation [Extras: Range (Normal) (+2);
Cost: +2 pp/level]
Flight +6 [Source: Mystical; Cost: 2pp;
Total: 12 pp]
Natural Weapon (Claws) +3 [Source: Alien;
Cost: 2pp; Total: 6 pp]
Super-Intelligence +8 [Source: Alien; Cost:
2 pp; Total: 16 pp]
Weaknesses:
Disturbing
Vulnerable (Reflection) - Must return to
tomb if he sees his reflection
Mumm-Ra, the Decayed Form: Init -1
(Dex); Defense 11 (12 flat-footed); Spd.
30ft; Atk +3 Melee (+2S, Claws), +3 Ranged
(+10L, Energy Blast); SV Dmg +7, Fort +7,
Ref -1, Will +17; Str 8, Dex 8, Con 12, Int
62
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2
20, Wis 20, Cha 20
Skills: Same as the Ever-
Living form
Feats: Infamy, Startle,
Iron Will, Durability,
Identity Change (Tougher
Version), Headquarters
Powers: Same as the
Ever-Living form
Note: I'll admit, I've gone ahead and creat-
ed stats for some powers displayed in later
episodes. In the Berbils episode Mumm-Ra
turns into a giant insect composed of other
smaller insects; this was done as an extra
effort in my eyes with the power boost
from the Pyramid and has not been counted
in his Sorcery power displayed above.
Totals: BAB 24 + BDB 8 + Abilities 54 +
Skills 25 + Feats 24 + Powers 170 +
Weaknesses 20 = Total 285 pp.
Slythe: PL6; Init +1 (Dex); Defense 13 (12
flat-footed); Spd. 30ft; Atk +6 Melee (+9L,
Axe; +5S, Tail); SV Dmg +5 (Protection +3),
Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +1; Str 16, Dex 12, Con
16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 16
Skills: Bluff +6, Listen +4, Sense Motive +5,
Spot +5
Feats: Amphibious, Leadership, Toughness
Powers:
63
Protection +3 [Source: Alien; Cost: 2pp;
Total: 6 pp]
Natural Weapon (Tail) +2 [Source: Alien;
Cost: 2pp; Total: 4 pp]
Equipment:
Teleportation Device +5: Effect:
Teleportation; Source: Super-Science; Cost:
1 pp; Total: 5 pp
Weapon (Axe) +6: Effect: Strike; Cost: 1pp;
Total: 6 pp
Warp Gas Grenade +4: Effect: Mind
Control; Extras: Area; Flaws: Duration
(Continuous); Flaws: Range (Normal),
Obvious (cloud of smoke), Limited - Emotion
Control (opposite strong emotion); Source:
Super-Science; Cost: 1 pp; Total: 4 pp
Totals: BAB 9 + BDB 4 + Abilities 26 +
Skills 20 + Feats 6 + Powers 10 + Equipment
15 = Total 90 pp.
Monkian: PL6; Init +4 (Dex); Defense 15 (11
flat-footed); Spd. 30ft; Atk +6 Melee (+6L,
Axe), +6 Ranged (+4S, Shield); SV Dmg +4,
Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +0; Str 18, Dex 18,
Con 18, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 10
Skills: Balance +6, Climb +8, Jumping +6,
Listen +2, Spot +2
Feats: Talented (Climb and Balance)
Powers:
Swinging +4 [Source: Alien; Cost: 1 pp;
Total: 4 pp]
Equipment:
Weapon (Club) +2: Effect: Strike; Cost: 1
pp; Total: 2 pp
Shield +3: Effect: Deflection; Extras:
Ranged Attack; Power Stunts: Rapid Fire,
Multishot; Source: Super-Science; Cost: 2
pp; Total 8 pp
Teleportation Device +5: Effect:
Teleportation; Source: Super-Science; Cost:
1 pp; Total: 5 pp
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

Future articles will be released based on

Totals: BAB 6 + BDB 2 + Abilities 22 + fan demand. There are 130 episodes in the
Skills 24 + Feats 2 + Powers 4 + Equipment series, this is only the beginning!
15 = Total 75 pp.

The THUNDERCATS and THUNDERCAT

characters, vehicles, places, images any
ANYTHING mentioned in this article for
that matter relating to the THUNDER-
Jackalman: PL4; Init +2 (Dex); Defense 13 SCATS are trademarks of Telepictures
(11 flat-footed); Spd. 30ft; Atk +4 Melee Corporation © 1985-88.
(+4S, Club); SV Dmg +4, Fort +4, Ref +2,
Will +2; Str 14, Dex 14, Con 18, Int 8, Wis This article is written and compiled by a
14, Cha 10 fan of the Thundercats and the M&M game
Skills: Listen +5, Move Silently +4, Sense system. No challenge is made to either
Motive +2, Spot +5 property and no profit is being made by
Feats: Scent this article or the fanzine it is a part of, or
Powers: the site that it is being hosted on.
Super-Sense (Smell) +4 [Source: Alien;
Cost: 1 pp; Total: 4 pp]
Equipment:
Teleportation Device +5: Effect:
Teleportation; Source: Super-Science; Cost:
1 pp; Total: 5 pp
Weapon (Club) +3: Effect: Strike; Cost: 1pp;
Total: 3 pp

Totals: BAB 6 + BDB 2 + Abilities 22 +

Skills 16 + Feats 2 + Powers 4 + Equipment
8 = Total 60 pp.

64
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

Need some ideas for your next Mutants and Masterminds Game? Looking for some NPC's or
Mooks to confound your players? Then we have some Website links for you. There are quite a
number of people who have created websites to support Mutants and Masterminds. There is a
vast wealth of information available for your use and, best of all, its' free!

In addition, we collected links to all the Superlink Publisher's company websites. If you need more
detail information about their products, then these are the links for you. Be sure to stop by and
support the folks who are helping to support our favorite superhero game.

Disclaimer time: we don't guarantee that the links are still active. We hope, of course, that they
are. Please use the information they provide with respect; as they have no doubt spent a great
deal of time creating and/or accumulating the wealth of information that will only make your game
a better one.

Fan Sites
Defenders-5: http://mecha.com/~conkle/mm/
Evilschemer's Fan Site.

E-CORE: http://www.e-core-news.org/
XEI's Superlink News Site.

Freedom City Play By Post Gaming: http://www.menefees.net/freedomcity/

Yes, there are others, but this is one of the best!

M&M HeroHQ v1: http://www.mutantsandmasterminds.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6141

A character generator. NOTE: check system requirements before downloading.

M&M RPG Resource Site: http://www.aloofhosting.com/dcurpg/mnmindex.html

Pampero's Fan Site

M&M Webring: http://l.webring.com/hub?ring=mutantsandmaster

Contains links to seven sites dedicated to M&M Goodness!

Arcady's M&M Site: http://home.pacbell.net/arcady0/MnM/

Central Nexus: http://www.thecentralnexus.com/

Hall of Justice: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/kperrine/inside/Fun_Games.html

65
 Super Samurai - Volume One, Issue #2

Heroes and Henchmen: http://www.heroesandhenchmen.com/

Neo's Datalinks: http://www.neo73.plus.com

Quantum Heroes: http://home.comcast.net/~leaderdesslok/quantum_heroes/quantum_main.html

Valider.com: http://www.valdier.com/

Project Genesis: http://members.lycos.co.uk/genesisproject/

Silverback's fan site full of superhero goodness!

Simpson's Excel Character Sheet: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/mnm_hall_of_heroes/

A Yahoo Group for the famous (and good!) Simpson's Character Sheet.

Superlink Publisher's Sites

Superlink Society: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/SuperlinkSociety/
A Yahoo Group for Superlink Publishers to share info and get advice.

1001 Designs: http://1001.indie-rpgs.com/

Publisher of the upcoming Argonauts.

Action Studios: http://www.actionstudios.com/metaverse/

Publisher of the upcoming Albert Deschesne's Metaverse.

Blackwyrm Games: http://www.blackwyrm.com/

Publisher of The Algernon Files.

Blue Devil Games: http://www.bluedevilgames.com/

Publisher of the 1st Appearance line.

Body Count Entertainment: http://www.lukedesade.com/

Publisher of Metahumans.

Brainstorm:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/kperrine/HeroHooks/HERO_HOOKS_Submissions.htm
Publisher of the upcoming Hero Hooks and 7 Guys of Justice.

Brand's Brand Publications: http://www.brand-publications.spaceanddeath.com/

Publisher of Church and State.

Cracked Mirror Publishing: http://www.cracked-mirror.com/

Publisher of Monsters and Mayhem.

Devil's Worship: http://www.lpjdesign.com/DevilsWorkshop/DevilWorkshop.html

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Publisher of the Power Corrupts, Archetypes and Templates lines.

Gold Rush Games: http://www.goldrushgames.com/

Publisher of San Angelo: City of Heroes

Michael Hopcroft Press: http://www.mphpress.com/

Publisher of the upcoming Cute Fighters and Grand Defiance.

Misfit Studios: http://www.misfit-studios.com/

Publisher of the upcoming The World Not Known.

RavenTower Games: http://www.raventower.com/

Publisher of the upcoming Bad-Guys and Bastards (formerly known as: Miscreants & Mischief-
Makers).

Reality Blurs: http://realityblurs.com/

Publisher of the upcoming RunePunk: Steam and Shadow.

Ronin Arts: http://www.philipjreed.com/roninarts/

Publisher of A Matter of Family.

Spectrum Games: http://www.spectrum-games.com/

Publisher of Omlevex.

Valent Games: http://www.valentgames.com/

Publisher of Above and Beyond.

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